Joint List Chairman Yusuf Jabbarin said the government formed after the next election might need the support of Arab lawmakers, adding that the list would use its political weight.
In a speech published Saturday, Jabbarin said the Joint List had enough power to help bring down Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and could force any government formed after the election to accept its conditions. Speaking about the upcoming election, the problems facing Arab citizens in Israel and the list's role in the government formation process, Jabbarin said they would use all the tools at their disposal to bring about a change of government.
Arab lawmakers' support could be decisive
Jabbarin argued that no government replacing the current coalition, which includes Netanyahu as well as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, could be formed without negotiating with the Joint List.
Jabbarin said the upcoming election would not be an ordinary vote, adding that it would be decisive for the future of Arab citizens in the country where they live. Accusing the Israeli government of continually targeting Arab citizens in different areas of life and carrying out an unprecedented escalation, Jabbarin said the government was driving the country and the region toward an abyss.
Unity under the Joint List
Jabbarin described the unification of different parties and groups under the Joint List as a response to the demands of the Arab community, saying society had recognized the need for unity to address existing problems. He said the list represented the broadest possible unity among different political groups.
Jabbarin said this unity would give Arab citizens greater political weight, making it more difficult for their demands to be ignored.
Demands to be negotiated for political support
Explaining the Joint List's approach to governments that may be formed, Jabbarin said the list could serve as a confidence network for the government, but that the security and interests of the Arab community remained the priority.
Jabbarin said they were demanding a clear plan, timetable and budget to combat crime, along with mechanisms to oversee implementation. The demands also included ending home demolitions, approving zoning plans, providing land for young couples and recognizing unrecognized Arab villages in the Negev region in the south of the country.
Emphasizing that they would not provide political support without conditions, Jabbarin said those seeking support would have to negotiate with the Joint List over the demands of the Arab community.
Position on Gaza and religious sites
Jabbarin said the Joint List would not remain silent over the war in Gaza, practices in the West Bank, raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque, attacks on worshippers and restrictions on the call to prayer.
Jabbarin also condemned attacks on churches, monasteries and religious officials. He concluded his speech by saying the upcoming election offered an opportunity to strengthen the political representation of Arab citizens.
Poll points to government deadlock
A public opinion poll published in Israel found that neither the bloc formed by Netanyahu nor the Jewish opposition bloc might secure enough seats to form a government on its own. According to the poll, Arab lawmakers' support might be needed for the Jewish opposition to form an alternative government in place of Netanyahu's administration.
Published 16 days before the election, the poll said that if the election were held that day, the two blocs would win an equal number of seats and neither would be able to form a government alone. The results published in the Maariv newspaper showed that most Israelis oppose Arab parties joining the government that may be formed.
Most leaders of the Jewish opposition parties also reject cooperation with Arab lawmakers to form an alternative government in place of Netanyahu's administration.
