Netanyahu Accused of Secret Dealings with Arab Parties While Publicly Denouncing Them
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly accused Arab parties of supporting terrorism at the Knesset's opening, while secretly having negotiated with them in the past. Reports also surfaced of a Netanyahu associate communicating with Mansour Abbas, seeking to influence his political support. The article criticizes this perceived double standard, suggesting Arab political participation is accepted when it serves Netanyahu but condemned when it empowers his rivals. It challenges both Netanyahu and the opposition on their approach to the Arab community's role in Israeli politics.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Benjamin Netanyahu publicly denounced Arab parties as terror supporters while previously negotiating with Mansour Abbas.
- Natan Eshel, close to Netanyahu, reportedly contacted Mansour Abbas regarding political support before and after recent elections.
- The article criticizes a political double standard regarding Arab parties' legitimacy based on Netanyahu's interests.
- Netanyahu's rhetoric is seen as an attempt to demonize the Arab community and exclude them from political partnership.
- The opposition is challenged to define its stance on genuine equality and partnership with the Arab community.
During the opening of the 26th Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech accusing Arab parties and their representatives of supporting terrorism and warned against forming a government based on partnership with them. The speech, delivered from the legislative body's platform, was seen as an attack on the legitimacy of the Arab community and its elected representatives, transforming the forum for democracy into a stage for distributing certificates of patriotism.
This public stance starkly contrasts with Netanyahu's past political actions. In 2021, he negotiated with Mansour Abbas, seeking his support for a coalition to remain prime minister, at which time a partnership with Abbas was considered politically acceptable for Netanyahu's interests. Reports also revealed that Natan Eshel, a close confidant of Netanyahu, engaged in communications with Mansour Abbas before, during, and after the recent elections, inquiring about his support for Gadi Eisenkot and attempting to dissuade him. Eshel initially denied these contacts but later confirmed them when presented with evidence. The Likud party stated that Netanyahu was unaware of these communications.
The article highlights a political double standard, questioning how engagement with Arab parties becomes acceptable when it serves Netanyahu's calculations but turns into accusations of terrorism when it benefits his opponents. It suggests that the Arab community's voices are sought when they can serve to maintain a government but are met with suspicion and accusations of disloyalty when they demand a role in decision-making and political influence.
This rhetoric is seen as part of a strategy to demonize the Arab community, question the loyalty of its representatives, and exclude them from legitimate political partnership. The author argues that this exclusionary approach, especially when coming from the prime minister on the Knesset's platform, fuels division and undermines the legitimacy of Arab citizens and their representatives, particularly in the context of upcoming elections where such tactics are used to mobilize voters.
The piece also poses a challenge to the "change bloc," questioning whether their pursuit of change is genuine, based on equality and partnership with the Arab community, or merely a means to oust Netanyahu, after which they would continue to exclude Arab representatives. The article concludes that true democracy requires respecting minority rights and representation, and that political differences do not justify accusations of terrorism or treason. Partnership with Arab parties is presented as a legitimate political option in a pluralistic parliamentary system.
