Arab Parties Criticized for Unconditional Endorsement of Eisenkot

The Joint List, led by Tayeb, is facing criticism for its rush to recommend Gadi Eisenkot as the next prime minister without prior negotiation. This move is seen as blurring the lines between the Joint List and the United List, led by Mansour Abbas, and raises questions about the effectiveness of Arab parties in Israeli politics. Jaafar Farrah, a candidate who withdrew from the Front, highlighted that recommending a candidate for prime minister is a significant political tool, especially in a close balance of power. He argued that it is unusual for parties to relinquish this leverage without securing basic political, civil, and economic demands for their constituents. Farrah noted that this recommendation came despite opposition from some within the change bloc to include Arab parties in government formation.

The article contends that even from a pragmatic standpoint, a "give and take" approach is expected in political exchanges. The endorsement of Eisenkot is considered a substantial concession, particularly as he has previously expressed opposition to relying on Arab votes and has set conditions, such as military/civil service and designating Hamas as a terrorist organization, that are seen as red lines. This is viewed as potentially undermining the national identity of Palestinians in Israel and disconnecting them from the broader Palestinian cause.

Journalist Gideon Levy is cited as observing that the success of Arab parties has led to new boundaries, with both the right and the change bloc urging them to disregard the fate of their brethren. Mansour Abbas is mentioned as an early respondent to this, with fewer public statements on the Gaza situation. The article also references a meeting where President Herzog asked Arab parties to cooperate in combating terrorism post-October 7th. Tayeb responded sharply but did not object to the broad definition of Palestinian struggle as terrorism, instead highlighting the trauma and arrests experienced by the Arab community, including Arab citizens killed in Gaza.

If Herzog's remarks were intended to aid Netanyahu, the article suggests they also accurately reflect the problematic position of Arab parties supporting an Israeli government during a war on Gaza or potential conflict with Iran. This situation exposes the inherent identity conflict among Palestinians in Israel, balancing national belonging with citizenship, a tension that escalates during periods of conflict. The article criticizes attempts to obscure this issue with political jargon or comparisons to past political stances, arguing that endorsing Eisenkot without clear gains is a significant concession, especially when compared to past negotiations that involved conditions, regardless of their fulfillment.