Bereaved Families Warn Lawmakers Against Partnering With Arab Parties
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Families of October 7th victims have warned Israeli lawmakers against forming a government with Arab parties, calling such a move cooperation with Hamas supporters. The appeal follows recent elections where Arab parties won 19 mandates, potentially influencing the formation of a government as neither major bloc has a clear majority. Several bereaved families, including parents of victims and returned abductees, signed the urgent plea.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Bereaved families urged Knesset members not to partner with Arab parties, calling it support for Hamas.
- Arab parties achieved a record 19 mandates in the recent Knesset elections.
- Neither major political bloc has secured the 61 mandates needed for a majority government.
- The mandates of Arab parties could be crucial for forming a coalition.
- Several families of October 7th victims and returned abductees signed the appeal.
Families of victims from the October 7th Hamas attacks have appealed to all members of the Knesset, urging them not to form a government coalition with Arab parties, which they equate to cooperating with Hamas supporters. The appeal, signed by parents and siblings of those killed in the massacre, was widely shared on social media.
One signatory, Kobi Smarno, father of a victim, stated that any lawmaker collaborating with Arab parties would be considered a supporter of Hamas. He called on the public to tag all Knesset members to ensure the message reached them.
The appeal comes in the wake of the recent Knesset elections, where Arab parties saw a significant surge, securing 19 mandates, nearly double their previous representation. The Joint List garnered approximately 12 mandates, and Ra'am secured about 7.
With neither the Netanyahu bloc (53 mandates) nor the left-wing bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot (48 mandates) reaching the 61-seat majority needed to form a government, the mandates held by Arab parties could be decisive. However, most parties in the left-wing bloc have ruled out cooperation with them, with the Democrats being the only exception.
Among the signatories are Eli Shtivi, father of a victim; Itzik Guili, father of another victim; five relatives of Amit Cohen; and Ilan Regev, father of Maya and Itai Regev, who were abducted to Gaza and later returned.
