Haifa:Leaders of Arab political parties in Israel have expressed a united front through the Joint List alliance, aiming to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming October 27 Knesset elections. They emphasized that increased participation from the Arab community could play a crucial role in preventing Netanyahu's right-wing coalition from retaining power.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the leaders acknowledged that an alternative government may not fully align with their aspirations but stressed the importance of removing Netanyahu's administration. The announcement was made during a news conference in Haifa, attended by Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen, Ahmad Tibi, and Sami Abu Shehadeh, who represent the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, Arab Movement for Change, and National Democratic Assembly, respectively.

Jabareen highlighted the alliance's growing momentum in opinion polls, aiming for at least ten seats in the elections. He stressed the need for higher Arab voter turnout to ensure Netanyahu's removal and pledged to bolster the alliance's international presence to advocate for Arab and Palestinian rights. Additionally, Jabareen called for protection against attacks on religious sites in Jerusalem and urged potential government partners to address these issues.

Tibi, focusing on preventing Netanyahu's continuation as a caretaker prime minister, acknowledged the challenges of forming an alternative administration but emphasized the necessity of replacing Netanyahu's government. He pointed to the Joint List's potential pivotal role in shifting the political landscape and expressed openness to collaborating with other political forces to repeal laws detrimental to Arab communities.

Abu Shehadeh underscored the ongoing persecution faced by Arab citizens and the importance of the Joint List's influence in protecting their rights. He noted the alliance's progress in polls but called for further support to prevent Netanyahu's return to power. Despite the tight race between Netanyahu's bloc and the Jewish opposition, cooperation between Arab and Jewish opposition parties could be key to forming a new government, though such alliances remain contentious.

Arab lawmakers have set conditions for supporting any future government, including ending conflicts, pursuing political solutions with Palestinians, and addressing discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel.