Tel Aviv:Leaders of Israel's Arab Joint List and the Democratic Party have agreed to coordinate efforts to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This decision follows a meeting between the parties' leaders, which was their first since the recent Knesset elections.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Joint List Chairman Yousef Jabareen and parliamentary group leader Ahmad Tibi met with Democrats leader Yair Golan to evaluate the political landscape after the October 27 election results. They discussed coordination between their blocs, as stated by the Arab Joint List.
Preliminary election results indicate that Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while opposition parties gained 48 seats. Arab parties collectively won 19 seats, with the Joint List capturing 11 and Ra'am obtaining eight. The two sides emphasized their mutual interest in utilizing the parliamentary majority to dismantle the Netanyahu-Ben-Gvir-Smotrich government and replace it.
Jabareen and Tibi addressed significant issues affecting Arab citizens of Israel, seeking to advance practical solutions. Arabs constitute about 20% of Israel's population of over 10 million. The parties agreed to maintain communication and coordination for future political actions, aiming to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and promote an agenda based on equality and peace.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to consult with Knesset-represented parties before deciding on a lawmaker to form the next government. Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, from the opposition Change bloc, may receive the most recommendations if he garners support from Arab lawmakers. Golan is a prominent leader within the Change bloc.
Netanyahu, who has served five nonconsecutive terms as prime minister, is Israel's longest-serving premier, leading what is described as the most far-right government in the country's history. He is currently on trial for corruption charges that include bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, which carry potential prison sentences. Additionally, the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, where over 74,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.