Arab Parties Have Chance to Oust Netanyahu, But Risks Remain

Professor Asaad Ghanem, a political science lecturer, stated that the recent election results highlight the Arab community's awareness of the critical juncture and its increased support for Arab parties. This support, he explained, aims to bolster their representation and potentially change the current government, which he described as "fascist." Ghanem emphasized that this achievement is not solely about the number of seats but reflects a public readiness for collective political action, contrasting it with the Israeli opposition's perceived adherence to right-wing stances and insufficient engagement with Arab citizens as potential partners for change.

He noted that while the surge in Arab voter turnout might concern some Jewish Israelis, the onus is on Arab political leadership to leverage this electoral power and on the opposition to define its stance on cooperating with Arab parties. Ghanem believes the Israeli public desires political change but hasn't necessarily abandoned its core attitudes toward Arab citizens, pointing to pervasive racism in various societal spheres.

The opposition leadership, he argued, must demonstrate genuine commitment to change beyond pre-election statements against Netanyahu, clarifying its position on potentially relying on Arab parties to form an alternative government. Ghanem also called for a review of internal Arab political work, suggesting the community has outpaced its leadership in mobilization and participation. He advocated for organizing this movement within national frameworks to address internal and external challenges, noting the diminished role of the Follow-up Committee and proposing Arab parties form a joint national action front while maintaining their independence.

Ghanem stressed that Arab parties must act with political realism to change the government, utilizing the declared willingness to support any alternative to Netanyahu. However, this should not compromise the fundamental rights and demands of the Arab community. He specified the need to negotiate concrete steps, including halting home demolitions, revoking the Kaminitz Law, curbing actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and seriously addressing violence and crime within the Arab community.

He warned that final results could still shift, with potential gains for the right-wing bloc from undecided votes, which might strengthen Netanyahu's chances of forming the government. Ghanem expressed hope that some opposition leaders would be more willing to pursue alternative government scenarios, such as a minority government supported by Arab parties, rather than repeating past experiences that led to Netanyahu's return. He concluded by calling the current phase a moral and political test for both the Israeli opposition and the Arab parties, emphasizing that internal Arab cohesion and leveraging electoral power are crucial for tangible change, while failure to seize this opportunity could perpetuate Netanyahu's rule and far-right policies.