Israeli Opposition Urged to Include Arab Parties for National Unity

The author, Miron Manor Zuckerman, a former deputy head of the Institute for Policy and Strategy at Reichman University, draws a parallel to the Roman woman Aria, who encouraged her husband to face death bravely. Zuckerman suggests that Israeli opposition parties should similarly encourage a "painful act", integrating Arab parties into a future coalition, to overcome their fear of revolutionary change and form a stable government.

Zuckerman argues that the current political deadlock, stemming from the lack of a clear majority among Jewish parties, necessitates exploring new avenues. He dismisses two potential coalition options: including Haredi parties or forming a unity government, stating these contradict the public's demand for change. Instead, he advocates for including Arab parties, emphasizing that this is not just a political necessity but a moral imperative, crucial for democratic fairness, civil justice, and national responsibility.

The author highlights that Arab citizens constitute 21% of Israel's population, and 16.5% of voters are effectively barred from holding office. He notes that the recent election results, which failed to provide a decisive outcome among Jewish parties, coupled with the failures of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, strengthen the case for inclusion. These failures include President Trump's decision to cease aid, the Democratic Party's midterm victories and accusations against Israel, and the threat of sanctions, including potential exclusion from the EU's "Horizon" research program.

Zuckerman acknowledges the complexity of Arab parties not publicly recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization but distinguishes this from active support. He believes that embracing Arab parties aligns with Israel's founding principles and could significantly bolster national security, rebalance Israeli society, and improve Israel's international standing. He warns that rejecting the Arab public's willingness to support change could lead to frustration, potentially escalating into violent protests or recalling past intifadas.

He calls on leaders like Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Lieberman to accept the overture from Arab parties, even if it means breaking an election promise. This, he contends, is a lesser price to pay than failing to replace the current government and continuing on a path that deviates from democracy, equality, and human rights. Zuckerman concludes that politics should be about adapting to changing realities and prioritizing national interests over rigid adherence to past promises, suggesting that "it doesn't hurt" to make such a bold move.