Arab Parties Vow to Oust Netanyahu Government, Boost Arab Political Power

The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality and the Communist Party held a joint meeting on Saturday to discuss election results and future strategies. In a statement released after the session, they declared that the "broad participation of the Arab masses constituted a great political and popular achievement." They emphasized the responsibility to safeguard this achievement and transform it into an organized force to "overthrow the government of Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, and Smotrich, confront fascism, and defend the rights of the Arab masses and the Palestinian people."

The parties praised the Arab public for their "awareness of the stage's danger" and their "determination to vote, defying incitement and intimidation." They credited this participation with preventing Netanyahu's bloc from securing a 61-seat majority and forming a "fascist government." The statement also congratulated partners in the Joint List for securing nearly half a million votes and eleven parliamentary seats, thanking activists and volunteers, as well as "Jewish democratic forces" who supported the list.

The parties asserted that the Arab community's political presence forces Israeli society to recognize Arab citizens as a legitimate and equal political force. This presence, they argued, exposes contradictions between claims of democracy and the practice of national exclusion and Jewish supremacy. They stressed the need to convert these contradictions into opportunities for political action and to strengthen cooperation with all who recognize and defend the legitimacy of Arab political participation, aiming to form a broad front that isolates fascists and establishes equality.

The statement condemned attempts to question the integrity of elections in Arab towns and attacks on voter turnout, viewing them as political campaigns to delegitimize Arab voters and their participation. They warned that Netanyahu and the far-right are creating an atmosphere to reject election results if they lead to their removal from power, fueling fascist incitement, especially if an alternative government relies on Arab votes in the Knesset.

Furthermore, the parties highlighted the grave danger posed by the Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, and Smotrich government, citing its role in the Gaza war, expansion of settlements, and incitement of settler violence in the West Bank. They warned that the government's continuation threatens the region by relying on military force and potentially igniting new fronts, exacerbated by the presence of Trump in the White House. They described the government's ouster as a "historic and urgent task" to protect the Arab population, Palestinian rights, freedoms, and to prevent further bloodshed in the region.

While acknowledging the limitations of potential alternatives, such as a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, the parties stressed that overthrowing the current government is crucial to prevent it from consolidating its control, completing its judicial overhaul, and entrenching oppressive mechanisms. They believe its removal could create space for Arab-Jewish political struggle and a renewed push for equality, social justice, and an end to the occupation.

The parties affirmed the Joint List's stance on providing a "safety net for the Arab masses and all vulnerable and marginalized segments" in exchange for any parliamentary safety net for an alternative government. They stated that while they do not see a possibility of joining a government whose policies they oppose, their independent decision not to participate should not be used to exclude them based on national or racial grounds. They insisted on the full and equal right of Arab communities and their representatives to influence political decisions without compromising their national identity or democratic positions against the occupation.

Finally, they emphasized the exceptional importance of preserving the unity and political approach of the Joint List, committing to strengthening its work and connection with its constituents. They called for expanding the partnership against fascism beyond the list's components to include the Higher Follow-up Committee, local authorities, civil institutions, and democratic Jewish forces, aiming to build a broad popular and political force advocating for equality, Arab participation, and peace.