Arab Parties Offer Support to Oust Netanyahu, Face Silence

Despite a significant electoral achievement expected for Arab parties, projected to win 19 Knesset seats, their political power may not translate into government influence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party have launched a campaign questioning the legitimacy of their votes. Meanwhile, the "Change bloc," led by Gadi Eisenkot, has so far refrained from declaring cooperation with them. However, leaders of the Arab parties are signaling their readiness to aid in replacing the government, even without joining it.

The Joint List issued a statement expressing willingness for political cooperation to establish an alternative government, with its chairman, Yosef Jabareen, calling the election results a "historic day." He asserted that Arab parties have proven to be a force that cannot be ignored and that a future cannot be built without their voice. Jabareen clarified that the list's primary goal is to end Netanyahu's tenure, stating that the public desires a change and the removal of Netanyahu and the Knesset speaker as a first step. He vehemently rejected Likud's claims of election irregularities, calling them the words of losers.

Jabareen also addressed potential cooperation with Eisenkot, noting that the Joint List has not yet examined his government formation plan but is keen on replacing the current government. He blamed Minister Ben-Gvir for escalating violence in Arab villages and stated that ousting the government means removing ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, whom he accused of inciting against Arab citizens. "We need a change in policy and a government without racists," he declared.

MK Ahmad Tibi explicitly conveyed the Joint List's readiness to support Eisenkot in forming a minority government to oust Netanyahu. Tibi emphasized that his party does not seek ministerial positions but is open to providing external support, contingent on commitments to issues important to the Arab public. Key demands include government action against crime and violence in Arab society and halting demolitions in Bedouin communities.

Tibi mentioned receiving numerous calls, including from a "significant figure" in the opposition, but confirmed Eisenkot himself had not made contact. He conveyed the Joint List's "readiness" and "desire" to help form a different government, urging Eisenkot and his partners to "show courage." This message comes amid reservations from major parties in the Change bloc regarding cooperation with Arab parties, a potential alliance that remains contentious among Eisenkot's potential partners.

The high voter turnout among Arab citizens, nearing 80%, contributed to the increased representation in the Knesset and may have prevented Netanyahu's bloc from securing a majority. This success presents a political dilemma for the Change bloc: how to replace Netanyahu without relying on Arab party mandates. The challenge is amplified by Eisenkot's stated conditions for government participation, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and Hamas as a terror organization, which could complicate cooperation even for external support.