Southern Islamic Movement Leader's Remarks Spark Debate
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
Ibrahim Hegazi, a leader of the Southern Islamic Movement, made controversial remarks on election turnout and the performance of the previous "Change Government." The article refutes Hegazi's positive assessment of the Bennett-Lapid government, citing data on increased settlement construction and home demolitions. Hegazi also presented parliamentary calculations for unseating Benjamin Netanyahu, which the author critiques, suggesting Hegazi overlooked the role of the "Joint List."
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ibrahim Hegazi predicted 65-67% election turnout and stated the government can only be removed by vote.
- The article disputes Hegazi's positive view of the Bennett-led government, citing increased settlement activity.
- Settlement construction rose 62% during the Bennett government, according to Peace Now.
- Home demolitions in the Negev reached a record 3,004 buildings in 2021.
- Hegazi's parliamentary math requires Ra'am to win at least 8 seats to unseat Netanyahu.
- The author questions if Hegazi's remarks were a slip or intentional manipulation.
Ibrahim Hegazi, a leader in the Southern Islamic Movement, made controversial statements during an interview on "Kal-Arab" television, hosted by Faiz Ishtewi. Hegazi discussed election turnout, predicting it would be between 65% and 67%, but expressed hope it would exceed 70%. He also stated that the current government, elected in 2022, can only be removed through elections.
Hegazi urged Arab voters to objectively compare the current political landscape with the period of the "Change Government" led by Naftali Bennett from June 2021 to June 2022, which he suggested offered hope and influence. However, the article strongly refutes this, citing data from the Israeli NGO "Peace Now." According to the report, settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem surged by 62% during Bennett's term compared to the previous period, with at least six new outposts established in strategic areas. The report also highlighted a significant increase in home demolitions, particularly in the Negev, where 3,004 buildings were demolished in 2021, up from 2,533 in 2020. Overall, Palestinian home demolitions reportedly rose by 35% under the Bennett-Lapid government compared to the preceding one.
The article also addresses Hegazi's parliamentary calculations, agreeing with him that statements by Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett rejecting cooperation with Arab parties are mere "election rhetoric." Hegazi calculated that the "Change bloc" could secure a maximum of 53-54 seats, and to unseat Benjamin Netanyahu, the Southern Islamic Movement (Ra'am) would need at least 8 seats. He warned that if Ra'am falls short, Netanyahu and his "fascist ministers" would remain in power.
The author criticizes Hegazi for overlooking the "Joint List's" commitment to act as a safety net for opposition candidates, suggesting Hegazi's remarks might be either a slip of the tongue or a deliberate attempt to sway opinions. The article concludes by stating that Ra'am is not the sole "kingmaker" in the political landscape.