Arab Parties Vow to Oust Netanyahu Government, Prevent New Elections

The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality and the Communist Party have declared their commitment to ousting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and preventing new elections. In a joint statement released Saturday after an extended meeting, the parties hailed the high participation of Arab citizens in the recent Knesset elections as a significant political and popular achievement that prevented Netanyahu's bloc from securing a parliamentary majority. They emphasized the need to consolidate this electoral success into an organized force to confront the far-right and remove Netanyahu, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Bezalel Smotrich from power.

The statement congratulated the Joint List for securing the trust of nearly half a million voters and 11 Knesset seats, while also acknowledging the role of Jewish democratic forces and voters who supported the list. The parties warned against attempts to delegitimize Arab voting, characterizing attacks on the integrity of elections in Arab towns and the targeting of activists as a political campaign to undermine the will of Arab voters. They asserted that Netanyahu and the far-right are creating an atmosphere to reject election results if they lead to their removal from power, especially if an alternative government relies on Arab Knesset members' votes.

Regarding the next political phase, the parties stressed the importance of working to topple the current government. However, they noted that forming an alternative government, potentially led by Gadi Eisenkot, might not bring about fundamental changes in Israeli policies, end the occupation, or recognize Palestinian statehood. They underscored that removing Netanyahu's government is crucial to prevent it from consolidating control over state institutions, completing judicial changes, and entrenching policies of repression and exclusion.

The Democratic Front and the Communist Party stated they would not join an alternative government in the current circumstances but would provide a parliamentary safety net for vulnerable segments of the population. They affirmed that Arab representation's right to influence political decisions is complete and equal, not contingent on compromising national identity or anti-occupation stances. The parties called for maintaining and strengthening the unity of the Joint List and expanding partnerships to include various civil society organizations and democratic Jewish forces. They urged their members and supporters to remain vigilant and prepared for ongoing political action, emphasizing that the struggle continues beyond the ballot box to counter any attempts to circumvent election results.