Ahmad Tibi Withdraws Opposition to Rebuilding Joint Arab List Ahead of September Deadline

Ahmad Tibi, chairman of the Ta'al party, has withdrawn his opposition to the reconciliation committee's proposed framework for reestablishing the Joint Arab List, according to reports from Walla. This development follows days of internal disputes among the Arab parties, with Tibi previously walking out of a meeting last Sunday due to disagreements over the plan. Separate meetings by the secretariats of Hadash and Balad last weekend showed their support for the framework, paving the way for renewed unity.

A key turning point was a private meeting between Hadash's Professor Yousef Jabareen and former MK Osama Saadi, Tibi's close associate, which was described as positive by insiders. Ta'al signaled readiness to accept the framework, which includes Tibi assuming the role of chairman of the Joint List faction, deputy speaker of the Knesset, and membership in influential committees such as the Finance Committee. Negotiations also addressed the placement of Ta'al's second representative, currently assigned ninth on the list, which had nearly derailed talks.

The finalized list order under the proposed framework places Jabareen first (Hadash), followed by Tibi (Ta'al), Sami Abu Shahadeh (Balad), and others from Hadash, Balad, and Ta'al. While the three parties aim to maintain a unified list, the Ra'am party has chosen to run independently but may still join last minute at a conference scheduled for the coming Saturday. Ta'al's secretariat is set to convene tomorrow to approve candidates, with Saadi expected to be the party's second candidate.

If no last-minute changes occur, the Joint Arab List will be officially announced by the end of this week, ahead of the early September deadline for submitting electoral lists. This agreement marks a significant step toward Arab political unity in Israel ahead of upcoming elections.