Israel’s Arab parties open to oust Netanyahu

Following Israel's recent parliamentary election, Arab parties have indicated their willingness to collaborate in removing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, comprised of right-wing and religious parties. Yousef Jabareen, the chairman of the Joint List, stated that Netanyahu's administration had made life unbearable for Arab citizens.

He described the election's outcome as "historic" and emphasized that his party and the Joint List were set to win a combined 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset. These parties could hold significant influence in shaping the next government, as neither Netanyahu's coalition nor the opposition camp led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot is expected to secure a majority.

Jabareen affirmed their readiness to utilize their political power to bring about the replacement of Netanyahu, his cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, urging them to "send them home." Arab citizens constitute approximately one-fifth of Israel's population, primarily descendants of Palestinians who remained in the country after its establishment in 1948 and the subsequent war.

Many hold Israeli citizenship but face suspicion from some Jewish Israelis due to their close ties to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Right-wing Jewish parties in Israel have historically refrained from partnering with Arab parties.