Israel's opposition must break its promise, rely on Arab parties to oust Netanyahu - opinion

The article discusses the dilemma faced by Israel's opposition parties in deciding whether to break their promise of not forming a government dependent on Arab parties in order to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The opposition has previously relied on the inclusion of Arab parties in the Knesset to form a majority government, as seen in governments led by Yitzhak Rabin, Ehud Barak, and Yair Lapid.

However, during the recent campaign, opposition leaders promised not to form a government dependent on Arab parties, in order to avoid the association with their controversial positions on the Palestinian conflict and Israel's national identity. The article raises the question of whether the opposition should prioritize their electoral commitment to breaking ties with Arab parties over their broader responsibility to replace Netanyahu and change Israel's direction.

The dilemma is further complicated by the fact that Arab political leaders have indicated they are willing to support an alternative minority government without demanding cabinet positions, and their concerns regarding crime in Arab communities and the Palestinian question are reasonable. The article references philosophers and statesmen such as Niccolò Machiavelli, Max Weber, and Edmund Burke to explore the ethical implications of this dilemma.

Brief written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.