Arab Parties Pledge to Topple Netanyahu in Oct. 27 Israel Vote
They conceded at a news conference in the northern city of Haifa that any replacement government would fall short of their hopes.
Three leaders took part: Yousef Jabareen, head of the Joint List and of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash); Ahmad Tibi, chairman of the alliance’s parliamentary bloc and leader of the Arab Movement for Change (Ta’al); and Sami Abu Shehadeh, leader of the National Democratic Assembly (Balad). The three parties form the alliance. Arab citizens make up roughly 20% of Israel’s population of more than 10 million.
Turnout as the decisive weapon
Jabareen said the alliance is climbing in opinion polls and is aiming for “10 seats or more” on Oct. 27.
“Increasing turnout in our Arab community will ensure the removal of Netanyahu’s government,” he said.
He vowed to expand the alliance’s international outreach, lobbying influential institutions and governments on behalf of Arab citizens and the Palestinian people.
“We want the Joint List to be a safety net for our people against violence and crime, a safety net against home demolition policies, and a safety net for our young men and women on social and economic issues and in defending their right to a dignified and secure future,” he said.
He also demanded protection against attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, churches and monks in Jerusalem, and said anyone offering an alternative to the far-right government must engage with the alliance on these issues.
A choice between bad and worse
Tibi said the Joint List would work to stop Netanyahu from staying on as head of a caretaker government and to open the way for a successor administration.
“We realize that any alternative government will not be our dream government, but we face a choice between bad and worse,” he said.
“Our main and urgent task today is to bring down the government of Netanyahu, (National Security Minister Itamar) Ben-Gvir and (Finance Minister Bezalel) Smotrich and prevent it from remaining in power.”
A strong Joint List, Tibi said, is the guarantee of removing the three men, pointing out that polls have put the alliance at nine seats. He warned that projected Arab turnout, though rising steadily, is still too low to unseat the government.
Shifting poll numbers show Netanyahu cannot be beaten without the alliance, he argued, calling extra seats for it a way to change the political landscape.
Tibi also said he is ready to work with other political forces to repeal the Kaminitz Law, which makes it easier to demolish Arab homes.
“We are determined and extend our hands to everyone who wants to sweep away this extremist government,” he said. “Although the alternative government may not be our dream, we choose the lesser of two evils to bring about change.”
Abu Shehadeh said Arab citizens, among them workers, doctors, drivers, employees and students, face persecution that must end.
“It is true that the Joint List is making serious and steady progress in the polls, and that is good, but it is not enough,” he said. “We listen daily to our people in every village and city, and everyone is demanding change.”
He added that a strong, influential Joint List is essential both to keep Netanyahu, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir from returning to power and to protect the Arab community.
A razor-close race
Polls show a tight contest between Netanyahu’s bloc and the Jewish opposition camp headed by former army Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. Neither side reaches the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
The latest surveys project nine seats for the Joint List and five for the United Arab List, led by Mansour Abbas.
Cooperation between Jewish opposition parties and Arab parties could keep Netanyahu from forming a government, but most opposition leaders reject it. Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have so far ruled out alliances with Arab parties.
Arab lawmakers say their conditions for backing any government include ending the wars, opening a political horizon with the Palestinian people and ending discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel.
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