Arab and Jewish Local Leaders Urge Gadi Eisenkot to Form Government with Arab Parties

In the village of Misr on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Arab and Jewish local authority heads met to sign a document calling for the formation of a new government that includes Arab parties, emphasizing partnership and equality in decision-making centers. The meeting was initiated by the Head of the Menashe Regional Council, head of the Menashe Regional Council, and included Umm al-Fahm Mayor Dr. Samir Mahamid, Kafr Qara Mayor Firas Budhi, Menashe Regional Council member Naif Arda, and Misr local committee head Ayman Abu Ruqiya.

The Head of the Menashe Regional Council stated that it is time for political partnership and urged the formation of a new government with the full participation of Arab parties as soon as possible, stressing the need to end the political exclusion of Arab citizens. He praised the high Arab turnout in recent elections, seeing it as a contribution to changing the political reality and ending Netanyahu's rule, asserting that the existing Arab-Jewish partnership in various life spheres should be reflected politically.

Dr. Samir Mahamid stated that the broad Arab participation in the elections expressed rejection of the previous government's policies, characterized by racism and incitement against Arab citizens. He expressed willingness to be investigated by the Shin Bet to clarify that the Arab vote was a direct result of the previous government's policies. Mahamid emphasized that citizens chose change and that respecting their democratic will necessitates including Arab parties in the next government.

Firas Budhi highlighted the existing Arab-Jewish partnership in hospitals, construction, industry, and high-tech, questioning why this partnership is not extended to politics. He criticized Netanyahu's rhetoric as inciting against the Arab voice and driven by fear of losing power. Budhi added that Arab citizens voted in protest against the previous government's policies, rising violence in Arab communities, and concerns for their safety and future. He also criticized what he called racist discourse in some Israeli media, naming Ella Hason and Eyal Berkovich, warning that "words can kill" and calling for an end to incitement.

Naif Arda stressed the importance of Arab-Jewish partnership and its translation into political change benefiting all citizens, calling the current phase a historic opportunity for a shared future based on equality and mutual respect.

At the meeting's conclusion Mahamid, and Budhi signed a joint document titled "Local Authority Heads in Menashe and Wadi Ara Say Yes to Coexistence." The document affirmed the genuine partnership between Arabs and Jews in the region and committed to strengthening cooperation. It emphasized that after years of Arab community exclusion, it is time for fair representation in national decision-making centers. The document directly called on Gadi Eisenkot to "Establish a government in partnership with Arab parties."

The meeting sent a clear message that Arab-Jewish partnership is a successful reality in various life spheres and must now be translated into genuine political partnership at the state level. From Misr, the local leaders conveyed that true political change requires ending the exclusion of the Arab community and that full democratic partnership is impossible without the participation of Arab parties in the government and decision-making centers.