Politics1 min read

Israeli Arab leader says party ready to back anti-Netanyahu government but not in coalition

By · Via Middle East Eye · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Joint List party is prepared to support an alternative government from outside the formal coalition to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Party leader Yousef Jabareen explained that direct coalition membership remains out of the question due to West Bank settlements and the war in Gaza. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance against Arab factions, previously labeling any coalition with them as forbidden and a disgrace. This stance complicates coalition-building math after the Joint List and Ra'am secured a record total of 19 seats.

Key points

  • The Joint List party will consider voting with the opposition to unseat the current admin…: The Joint List party will consider voting with the opposition to unseat the current administration without entering the governing cabinet.
  • Strong electoral gains by Arab parties have positioned them as critical external players…: Strong electoral gains by Arab parties have positioned them as critical external players in determining the next Israeli government.
  • Benjamin Netanyahu has forcefully dismissed partnering with Arab parties, having describe…: Benjamin Netanyahu has forcefully dismissed partnering with Arab parties, having described an alliance with them as forbidden and a disgrace.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The leader of key Arab-led party Joint List said on Wednesday that he was willing to cooperate with an opposition-led government to unseat Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but was not open to joining such a coalition outright.

"We do not see the possibility of being part of an Israeli government coalition under the current political circumstances, particularly given the ongoing war in Gaza, the settlements in the West Bank" and other issues, Yousef Jabareen told AFP.

"However, with the aim of bringing down this government, it would be possible for us to support an alternative government from outside the coalition."

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a coalition with Arab parties to form a government would be “a shame and a disgrace", calling it "forbidden".

The two Arab-led parties, Joint List and Ra'am have gained a record total of 19 seats during the election, while Netanyahu's Likud party have fallen short of a parliamentary majority in the latest projections.

Original source: www.middleeasteye.net

Politics