Hadash-Ta’al MK Ayman Odeh accuses liberal opposition leader MK Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) of “constantly lying,” pointing to comments he made earlier today saying the Arab-Jewish list is working together with Likud. “He knows that it doesn’t have a grain of truth, that it’s all lies,” Odeh says Monday at a faction meeting in the Knesset of the Hadash-Ta’al parliamentary faction. “You didn’t succeed in leading your camp in the election, you’re not succeeding in leading the opposition,” Odeh says to Lapid. “You got used to the ‘nice Arab,” therefore it’s hard for you to deal with Arabs with a backbone.”
Archiv: Arab-Israelis
[Official Music Video] – تامر نفار- سلام يا صاحبي
4,298,345 views Nov 15, 2018
Tamer Nafar – Salam Ya Sahbi
Stop Persecuting Palestinian Rapper, Tamer Nafar
On Saturday, police in Haifa detained for questioning three Arab protesters who waved Palestinian flags and, on the same day, other police stopped a performance by the Palestinian rapper Tamer Nafar in the Christmas Market in the village of Kafr Yasif, claiming that his songs incite the state (See page 3).
These events are serious. They signal a change for the worse in the attitude, bad to begin with, toward the Palestinian minority, and they seem to be an attempt to criminalize Palestinian identity. The song that led police to stop Nafar’s show was “Salam Ya Sakhbi” – about violence in Arab society.
As a Dangerous Government Takes Over Israel, Top Hadash Leader See an Opportunity
(14.12.2022)
“At times like these, we must see the silver lining from an unfortunate situation. There is a new horizon we haven’t seen before,” said Odeh, speaking with Haaretz in his Washington hotel suite ahead of addressing J Street’s annual conference last week. Odeh said he began discussing such a renewal with figures in Meretz and Labor immediately after the election and promised that “in the next few months, the level of Jewish-Arab partnership will grow immensely.”
Netanyahu’s Lust for Power Revealed in All Its Sickening Glory
To paraphrase Ben-Gurion: Every Hebrew mother should know that she has placed her children’s fate in the hands of a prime minister, other politicians and a school system that are unworthy of it. If there was ever a justification for a civil rebellion (not violent, but also not so polite and photogenic as the social protests of the summer of 2011), here it is – in all its sickening glory.
Islamist Ra’am Will ‘Leave Door Open to Dialogue’ With Incoming Far-right Coalition
(15.11.2022)
The Islamist Ra’am party stressed on Sunday that although it sits in the opposition, it will not necessarily vote in line with the bloc that opposes incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and will keep the channels of communications open with the next far-right and racist coalition, specifically when it comes to matters that concern Arab-Palestinian communities in Israel.
MK Odeh: Our Public Will Stand Firm Against Fascism and Racism.
While the pro-Netanyahu bloc is slated to expand to 65 seats in the Knesset following yesterday’s election, Channel 12 reports that it only received 8,189 more votes than the anti-Netanyahu bloc. However, because Arab Balad party and possibly Zionist Meretz failed to cross the threshold, their votes were scattered to other parties rather than being redistributed to the anti-Netanyahu bloc, which is slated to end with just 55 seats in the Knesset. Both blocs won roughly 50% of the vote, though the final tallies are not yet available.
Final 3 TV Polls Show Far-right Bloc One Seat Short of Majority
Hadash-Ta’al joint list, led by MKs Ayman Odeh and Ahmad Tibi, held a press conference in Shefa-Amr (Shfaram) on Saturday calling on democratic Jewish Israelis to vote for them. “Your vote is important. We have a clear leftist platform; clear ethical positions that many of you can identify with,” Odeh said.
Odeh and Tibi defined it as an “emergency press conference” in order to encourage Arab citizens to vote, after the last polls showed that less than 50% are intending to do so.
MK Odeh: The Right’s Only Hope for Victory is To Suppress Arab Votes
The Hadash and Ta’al list led by Knesset members Ayman Odeh and Ahmed Tibi, released a new election campaign video urging the Arab public to vote in the elections in order to stop the right-wing parties’ intention to carry out a new Nakba.
Hadash-Ta’al Slams Lapid, Michaeli for Refusing to Block Barring of Arab Parties
Hadash-Ta’al commented on the Central Election Commission’s decision to disqualify Balad’s candidacy for the 25th Knesset. “The decision to disqualify Balad is an unfortunate decision. [Benny] Gantz, [Yair] Lapid and [Meirav] Michaeli proved that they are right-wing in disguise. Despite the anger of the racists who want to keep the Arabs away from the polling stations, on election day we all flock to the polling stations.”
Elections panel blocks Balad party’s run for Knesset, against AG’s advice
Balad and several of its lawmakers have been disqualified by past elections panels, and have so far won every appeal to the High Court to be reinstated. The party is expected to make a similar appeal to return to November’s contest following Thursday’s disqualification.
Earlier on Thursday, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara released a letter to the committee stating that there was no basis for disqualifying either Balad or the Islamist Ra’am party. The panel ultimately cleared Ra’am’s path to the ballot box, dismissing petitions that alleged the party supported terrorist organizations.
Israel: Balad banned from election run, Ra’am qualifies
(29.09.2022)
Despite appeals filed alleging that Ra’am „supports terrorism,“ the vote to allow their running passed 14-0, with representatives from Likud, the Religious Zionist Party, Yesh Atid, and Labor not present.
Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz of the National Unity Party ruled on Thursday that all of his party representatives on the election committee will vote to disqualify Balad from running for parliament.
Hadash Elects First Candidates for Its List for the Knesset Elections
Hadash’s electoral platform calls for: an end to Israel’s occupation of all Palestinian territories conquered in the June 1967 war as well as the Golan Heights taken from Syria, and for achieving a just, comprehensive, and stable peace between Israel and an independent Palestinian state to be created in those same occupied Palestinian territories; the protection of workers’ rights; the development of advanced and egalitarian social services (health, education, housing, welfare, culture, and sports), and for full equality for the Arab-Palestinian national minority in Israel.
Among Hadash’s additional goals are: the eradication of ethnic discrimination in all fields; the defense of the interests of residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods and development towns; the protection of democratic freedoms in Israeli society; full equality between the sexes in all fields; the protection of the environment and environmental justice; and the eradication of all nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons in Israel and throughout the Middle East.
A Warning From Israel’s Left
We shouldn’t downplay the threat posed by a return to power by Netanyahu, a criminal defendant who caused great damage to the fabric of Israeli life, undermined its democratic institutions, eroded its values and is willing to cooperate with Kahanists to regain power. But this threat should not obscure the substance of Rinawie Zoabi’s arguments, which deserve serious attention. Not every abomination can be koshered by citing Netanyahu, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotric
Racist ‘Citizenship Law’ Advances, Months after Ban on Palestinian Spouses Lapsed
The bill was rejected by the Knesset plenum six months ago, and since then, Shaked has struggled to obtain a majority. Joint List leader MK Ayman Odeh (Hadash) said he was determined to prevent its passage. “We toppled the Citizenship Law, because we oppose racist, anti-democratic legislation”, Odeh said. “We will do everything we can to topple it again.” According to Hadash MK Ofer Cassif (Hadash), “This Israeli law is racist, collective, pre-emptive punishment. It can neither be justified, nor redeemed.” The Joint List also oppose Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s bill on drafting yeshiva students. All parties in the coalition support the bill, including Islamist Ra’am (United Arab List).
Controversial right-wing citizenship bill advanced by ministers
The controversial bill would tighten immigration controls and make it harder for Palestinians who marry Israeli Arabs to receive citizenship. The passage of a bill backed by right-wing parties and opposed by Meretz and Ra’am (United Arab List) was seen as a first step toward the formation of a right-wing government if opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu accepts a plea agreement.
Not Without a Warrant
The bill adds another justification for searching without a warrant – if, in the police’s view, there are reasonable suspicions that evidence will be found there that will prove a serious crime has been committed, and there are also grounds for fearing that this evidence will be destroyed by the time a search warrant is obtained. The Ministerial Committee for Legislation did insist that in any such situation, the police officer entertaining this suspicion will need approval from a senior officer. But in practice, the police can always claim that a reasonable suspicion existed, even it if turns out the officer in question was wrong.
Palestinian family reunification bill fails to pass Israeli parliament vote
The bill was to extend the lifespan of an amendment to Israel’s citizenship law, which effectively barred Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza from receiving residency and citizenship if they married an Israeli.
Enacted in 2003 during the Second Intifada and renewed annually ever since the exception was aimed at the partners of Israel’s Arab population – around 20 percent of its citizens.
TV: Police claim ‘most’ violence in Arab sector led by Shin Bet informants
“The criminals who are currently leading the serious crime in Arab society are mostly Shin Bet informants and in this situation, the police are bound because those informants, who enjoy immunity, cannot be touched,” the unnamed senior officer was reported to have said.
Protecting Israel’s Arabs Has Become a Matter of Coalition Talks
In other countries, a disclosure like Nussbaum’s would topple governments and drive people out of their minds, and then out of their homes. But in Israel, everything is permitted as long as the victims are from the “non-Jewish sector,” to use a term commonly used by state institutions. It turns out that in Israel, no price is too high to protect Shin Bet collaborators – not even 100 murdered Arabs a year.
History made as Arab-Israeli party joins governing coalition
Even before Ra’am announced his signing, Yair Lapid’s nascent coalition was widely seen as the most ideologically diverse in the country’s history, uniting left and right parties to notably oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power.
„Wir können eine große Bewegung aufbauen“: Israelischer Aktivist über seine Friedensvision für den Nahen Osten
watson hat mit Alon-lee Green gesprochen, einem der Direktoren von „Standing Together“. Er hat die Organisation im Jahr 2015 gegründet. Heute hat sie tausende Mitglieder und deutlich mehr Sympathisanten. Wir haben mit Green darüber geredet, was aus seiner Sicht geschehen muss, damit der Konflikt zwischen Israel und den Palästinensern nicht immer wieder ausbricht, wie seine Vision für eine friedliche Zukunft aussieht, was er Antisemiten in Europa zu sagen hat – und warum er trotz der Gewalt der vergangenen Wochen Hoffnung hat.
Israeli Police Arrest Hundreds of Arabs in Crackdown Leaders Warn Could Reignite Tensions
The police say they want to ‚restore deterrence‘ after a wave of Jewish-Arab mob violence, but Arab leaders fear that political activists will be arrested too and that the police only act when Jews‘ safety is at stake
Hundreds of police descend on Jaffa in anti-riot crackdown
Hundreds of police officers entered Tel Aviv’s historically Arab suburb of Jaffa Tuesday as part of a nationwide crackdown on civilians suspected of having taken part in the recent racially motivated riots around the country.
Yesterday we marched with our allies in Sheikh Jarrah to put an end to the evictions of Palestinian residents from their homes. We marched in the WB calling for an end to the Occupation. We were attacked and threatened, but this will not hamper our resolve
Will Biden Stay in Bibi’s Pocket?
You readers will be quick to point out, Netanyahu could not survive, were the US to stop its misconceived, lemming-like, unprecedentedly generous support for Israel. And you would be correct. Still, the odds are against anything more effective than pious calls for steps „on the path to a ceasefire“, until Israeli forces accomplish what the Israelis now admit they have long planned to achieve in Gaza.
No the War, Yes to Jewish-Arab Partnership
Support here the Jewish-Arab movement for freedom, equality and justiceAll donations are tax-deductible in the US and UK Standing Together is the Jewish-Arab grassroots people’s movement of Israel. In the past 5 years, we have been organizing people locally and nationally, and have mobilized hundreds of thousands of people to the streets in the struggle for peace, freedom, equality, and social justice.
Now is the most critical time in our shared existance here. Those who despise peace, social justice, and progressive values are ramping up against us. Please consider supporting us in digitally, physically, financially, or morally. We need your help.
WE ARE HUMBLED. For the the 3rd time this week, thousands of Jewish and Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel are responded to our call and filled the county with hope. In more than 100 local protests, we called for an immediate ceasefire and against the Occupation.
MK Odeh: As Long There is an Occupation, There’ll Be Resistance
The Joint List MKs held a press conference at the site during which Odeh expressed full support for the East Jerusalem Palestinians’ struggle: “The main point is there’s an occupation. As long as there is an occupation, there will be resistance.” Odeh continued, “This resistance becomes sharpened during periods of provocation, such as what happened over the past month,” relating to the imminent evictions of eight Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah. “Netanyahu took pride in his normalization of diplomatic ties with some Arab countries. But the youth of Jerusalem confirm yet again that the fundamental issue is the Palestinian cause… Anyone who wants live in peace and security must see themselves as part of the just cause of East Jerusalem Palestinians.”
Demonstration chants in Tel Aviv (Hebrew): „Bibi (Netanyahu) do not be afraid. We will see you (sentenced) in lahai (in the International Court of Justice).“ „Jews and Arabs who refuse to be enemies.“ „The children of Gaza and Sderot want to live.“
(11.05.2021)
HAPPENING NOW IN TEL AVIV: Hundreds of Jews and Arabs protesting against the attacks on #Gaza and the settlement in #SheikhJarrah We demand an immediate ceasefire and a stop to police brutality and evacuations in Jerusalem The demo is organized by the Jewish-Arab @omdimbeyachad
(11.05.2021)
The Jerusalem uprising had no Hamas or Fatah leadership. Both groups want to capitalize on it and gain some popularity, knowing that their actions will hurt those they claim to want to help most.
(10.05.2021)
Netanyahu calls in Border Police as Lod riots spiral out of control
Public Security Minister Amir Ohana declared a state of emergency in the city after a meeting on Lod’s violent clashes with Netanyahu and other officials. Defense Minister Benny Gantz said all means would be made available to police trying to bring back order, which includes imposing curfews.
Israeli Arab Shot Dead as Jerusalem Riots Spillover; Two Jewish Suspects Arrested
„An angry mob started to assemble, and they threw bricks and firebombs at us because we exited the house to make sure they wouldn’t come closer,“ he said. „At a certain point, when we felt like there was a real threat and the mob started getting closer to us, a few residents with handgun licenses fired in the air,“ he said.
Police suspect that one of the Jewish residents aimed his gun at the rioters rather than shooting in the air. Another resident said that there were at least four people who fired.
Election Results: Israel Is Being Held Hostage by One Person, and It’s Not Netanyahu
Yes, the statesmanlike one with the good looks and down-to-earth air, who has been seen washing floors and making coffee over a bonfire, all with a faux-bashful smile. He’s the person who has repeatedly prevented the country from returning to a path of sanity. This time he has relocated to the New Hope party, under the leadership of a new sucker called Gideon Sa’ar. But the ploy is the same ploy. This time too, one of the greatest obstacles to forming a government of change is Hendel’s refusal to form a coalition supported by the legitimate representatives of Israel’s Arab citizens.
Gulf officials warn Israel against forming gov’t with far-right candidates: report
“A right-wing policy is one thing,” the officials were quoted as saying. “But expressions against Muslims and Arabs by Members of Knesset [Israel Parliament] that are a part of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s government will harm and sabotage the normalization between Israel and Arab countries.”
Israel-Wahl: Kleinpartei als Zünglein an der Waage
Likud bleibt zwar mit 30 Mandaten die stärkste politische Kraft, aber selbst mit seinem ultrarechten Rivalen Naftali Bennett von der Jamina-Partei käme sein Lager nur auf 59 von 120 Mandaten. Die arabische Partei Ra’am schafft die 3,25-Prozent-Hürde und ist nun Zünglein an der Waage.
Ra’am erhält fünf Mandate.
After 4th Vote in 2 Years, Israelis Wonder: When Will the Political Morass End?
Official final results are not expected before Friday. But the partial tallies suggested that both Mr. Netanyahu’s alliance and its opponents would need the support of a small, Islamist Arab party, Raam, to form a majority coalition.
Bottom line of yesterday’s election – 57 percent of Israelis voted for parties calling to replace Netanyahu. That doesn’t mean Netanyahu can’t somehow find a way to form a bizarre coalition with the support of Jewish supremacists and Islamists, but it’s still a clear rejection.
The Israeli Labor Party. Their former leader, Shelly Yachimovich, said on Kan 11: It is better (!) that Ibtisam Mara’ana, a Palestinian Arab woman in 7th place on their list, didn’t get a seat because she would be a problem for their potential coalition partners
Last tweet of the night. Likud’s claim it would get more Arab votes is being proven true. Arab turnout is way down from 2020 but the number of Likud votes in Arab areas is up, which means its percentage of the Arab vote is way up. Might be enough to save Bibi.
(7 hours ago)
Israel Election Results: Arab Political Alliance Failed to Gauge Voters‘ Anger, Frustration
It seems that the breakup of the Joint List persuaded Arab citizens to vote with their feet and stay home
Likud MKs fight over potential cooperation with United Arab List
While some Likud members of Knesset see a potential in the Arab party Ra’am, that managed to reach the threshold, others cannot fathom such cooperation.
‚Not in Anyone’s Pocket‘: Islamist Party Leader Not Ruling Out Joining Netanyahu After Surprising Election Result
United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas said Wednesday that he is not „obligated to any bloc or any candidate,“ after the Islamist party surpassed the electoral threshold, with almost 90 percent of the vote counted in Israel’s unprecedented fourth election in under two years.
Minorities in Israel
Israel is both a Jewish and democratic state, and as such, must act to make sure all its citizens enjoy equal rights under the law. Israel’s minorities include the Arab population (both Christian and Muslim), Bedouins (with their unique set of challenges), Druze, and Circassians. Each population must be listened to and helped individually.
Israel’s success as a nation, both financially and socially, goes hand in hand with the prosperity of its non-Jewish population. It relies heavily on the government’s ability to offer every citizen full rights and opportunities.
Thousands Protest Police Brutality in Israeli Arab Community Despite Police Warning
„We’re here to protest police violence and also to call on the police to act against criminal gangs in our communities. We don’t have a violent message, we just want to live safely in our towns,“ Mahamid said.
Residents of nearby towns also joined the protests, as well as a number of Jewish Israelis and representatives from the Ra’am and Meretz political parties.
The Israeli Left’s Test: Standing Up for Arab Labor Candidate
The left must embrace Mara’ana and respect her opinions. She is married to a Jew, she joined a Zionist party – what more does Zionism expect of her? Other than collaborators, there are no Arabs who can feel any differently than she does. Neither is there a left wing except the kind that knows how to accommodate the positions of the members of the other people that lives here. Those who don’t stand up for Mara’ana are not left wing. They are right wing.
Kahanist Netanyahu Ally Invokes Hitler in Israeli Election Ad, Draws Ire
It shows candidates from across the political spectrum would form a coalition with the Joint List alliance of majority-Arab parties, revoke the law of return, change Independence Day to Nakba Day, make Yasser Arafat a national hero, and institute a national day of support for Hamas. It drew particular condemnation for showing Labor Party candidate Ibtisam Mara’ana sending an image of Adolf Hitler with a heart icon.
Channel 13 Poll: Likud 30, Yesh Atid 17, New Hope 13, Yamina 11, Joint List 7
Current Knesset seats in [brackets]
30 [36] Likud + Gesher (Netanyahu)
17 [16] Yesh Atid (Lapid)
13 [03] New Hope (Saar)
11 [03] Yamina (Bennett)
07 [11] The Joint List (Odeh)
07 [09] Shas (Deri)
07 [02] Labor (Michaeli)
06 [07] United Torah Judaism (Gafni)
05 [07] Yisrael Beitenu (Lieberman)
05 [02] Religious Zionist + Otzma + Noam (Smotrich)
04 [12] Blue & White/Israel Resilience (Gantz)
04 [04] Meretz (Horovitz)
04 [04] Ra’am (Abbas)
Abbas‘ new Arab party may become kingmaker in Israel
The Joint List, an alliance of four Arab parties that won a record 15 seats in elections held last year, finalized the break up overnight in which three will run together and the United Arab List, a party led by parliament member Mansour Abbas, will strike out on its own.
One of the main points of the division was Abbas‘ openness to working with Netanyahu or other Israeli leaders to address longstanding issues like crime and housing in Israel’s Arab community, which makes up around 20% of its population.
Israel Election: Three of Four Joint List Factions Run Together, United Arab List to Go Solo
Three of the four factions of Joint List – Hadash, Ta’al and Balad – have signed an agreement for a united bid for Israel’s March election, parting ways with the conservative United Arab List after a prolonged period of disagreements.
Alliance of Israeli Arab Parties to Split Ahead of March Election
At this stage, it’s not yet clear whether Ta’al might even decide to run jointly with Hadash and Balad, which have agreed to run on a joint slate, or whether it would pursue a link-up with the United Arab List.
Netanyahu’s Wooing of Arab Voters Unwittingly Sets an Important Precedent
The truth is, it doesn’t make any difference what his motive is. And there’s no need to support him, much less vote for him, to be filled with optimism.
After all, if the wall of the delegitimizing of Arab votes is cracked, that would be enough. If, following Netanyahu, other parties begin wooing Arabs and reserving spots for them on their tickets (see Meretz), that would be enough.
Netanyahu said planning to campaign hard for Arab vote in new election
In recent months, however, he appears to have formed a quiet alliance with the Joint List’s MK Mansour Abbas, to the chagrin of Abbas’s colleagues.
On Thursday during an unprecedented visit to the Arab town of Tirah to encourage vaccination, Netanyahu said he did not rule out placing an Arab lawmaker on his right-wing list.
Israel’s High Court Judges Are Playing Dumb About the Nation-state Law
Amit knows very well that the principle of equality wasn’t omitted from the law by accident, nor is it just a coincidence that it’s impossible to find a Knesset majority for passing a Basic Law on Equality. He knows that discrimination against Arabs in Israel isn’t just a by-product of the nation-state law but its main purpose – that discrimination is the essence of the law: enshrining Jewish superiority and Arab inferiority.
So why did Amit fake intimacy with Jabareen and inquire about his feelings as if he were a guidance counselor rather than a Supreme Court justice, and as if the only change that had occurred was in the lawyer’s emotions rather than Israel’s Basic Laws?
Warum Netanyahus „Nationalstaatsgesetz“ mit der israelischen Unabhängigkeitserklärung unvereinbar ist
(11.08.2018)
Die Unabhängigkeitserklärung von Israel und das „Nationalstaatsgesetz“ der Regierung Netanyahu in der wörtlichen Gegenüberstellung.
Nation-state Law Essentially Establishes Apartheid Regime
If the High Court does not examine the Jewish nation-state law according to norms external to the Israeli system and in accordance with criteria derived from consensual universal and international norms and values, it will justify the existence of a regime of constitutionally-mandated segregation for every ethnic dominating group trying to grant itself exclusive supremacy in any country, not only the Jewish people in Israel.
Arab MK Yousef Jabareen presented a petition at the Supreme Court today against the Nation-State Bill, on behalf of the Joint List and the NGO Adalah. Upon leaving he was harassed by Likud supporters chanting “death to terrorists”. They are the face of this racist law.
Ex-Shin Bet analysts recruited to fight coronavirus within Israeli-Arab society
Of course, it is a given that every high-tech company employs analysts, and plenty of high-tech staffers come from the Arab community. Why, then, didn’t the Home Front Command turn to them as well, preferring instead to use former members of the Shin Bet exclusively? Only the IDF knows the answer to that.
Joint List to EU: Suspend Ties with Israel if It Won’t Desert Annexation
In letters to senior EU officials, including foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the 15 Joint List MKs wrote that “the traditional approach based on providing incentives to Israel has thus far failed to achieve our shared legitimate positions.” According to Hadash MK Youssef Jabareen, “We requested that top EU officials act to prevent annexation including re-evaluating the EU-Israel partnership agreement, recognizing a Palestinian state according to the ’67 borders and labeling goods from the occupied Palestinian territories. Palestinians deserve independence and freedom.”
Joint List Urges Major British Parties to Oppose Annexation
The Joint List called on Britain’s biggest political parties to vigorously oppose Israel’s plans to annex parts of the Palestinian occupied West Bank. The two letters, dated June 26 were penned by Hadash MK Yousef Jabareen, the head of the Joint List’s international relations committee, and were sent to the UK Conservative party leader, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and the Labour party’s leader, Sir Keir Starmer. In the letters, the Joint List parliamentarians said the UK needed to “actively oppose” attempts by Israel to unilaterally annex territory.
“History has demonstrated the tragic consequences of illegal annexations,” the letter read. “We fear that if Britain and its European allies do not urgently act to prevent this impending annexation, our region may witness yet another major upheaval.”
Palestinian-Israeli Joint List urges US Democrats to stop annexation
(25.06.2020)
So far, the party has only verbally denounced Israel’s plans. The campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has categorically ruled out setting conditions on US aid to Israel.
In the Senate, a letter warning that annexation would „erode the strong support among the American people for the special relationship and diplomatic partnership with the United States that Israel currently enjoys“ only gained the support of 21 legislators.
‚He’s Disabled,‘ the Caregiver Screamed. ‚I’m With Her,‘ Eyad Cried. The Cop Opened Fire Anyway
Eyad Hallaq was shot to death in a roofless garbage room. According to the testimony of his caregiver, who was by his side and tried to protect him, he was executed. For long minutes she stood next to him and pleaded for his life, trying to explain to the police officers, in Hebrew and in Arabic, that he suffered from a disability. They shot him three times from close range with a rifle, directly into the center of his body, as he lay on his back, wounded and terrified, on the floor of the room.
Israeli Leftists, Apologizing for Your Beliefs Won’t Spare You. Get Off the Defensive
Even if you say “Jewish left” instead of “Israeli left” because it sounds more patriotic, they’ll always have another loyalty test on the way. Because groveling, stammering and apologizing for what you believe in won’t spare you.
The right is ready to go on television, on radio, online, wherever necessary, to defend an apartheid plan, to defend billions being spent at a time of deep recession and to defend a corrupt prime minister. They’re ready to defend the most galling things, and you’re not ready to defend the truth? Try it sometime. Believe me, it’s easier.
How Bernie Sanders Came to Address an Anti-annexation Rally in Tel Aviv
Odeh and Sanders first met in February 2017, when the Odeh visited Washington to attend that year’s J Street conference.
Israeli Left’s Show of Strength Highlights Weakness of Anti-annexation Protest
One can argue about whether the disparate 100-year history of confrontation and occupation between Israelis and Palestinians totally negates parallels to white America’s 400 years of African American subjugation and discrimination. But one glaring gap is undeniable: The majority of U.S. public opinion now acknowledges the legitimacy of black grievances, while the majority of Israelis ‒ including most of the Jewish center-left ‒ continues to view Palestinians, at least those beyond the former Green Line, as a mortal enemy bent on their country’s destruction
Hundreds attend funeral of Palestinian shot by Israeli police
Palestinian officials said the 32-year-old man, Iyad Khayri, suffered mental health issues and decried his killing.
In comments at Israel’s Sunday cabinet meeting, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said: “We are really sorry about the incident in which Iyad Khayri was shot to death and we share in the family’s sorrow – but I am certain this matter will be investigated swiftly and conclusions will be drawn.”
‚Being Black in America Shouldn’t Be a Death Sentence.‘ What About Being Palestinian?
Border Police officers claimed they believed he was holding a gun – there was none – and when they called out for him to stop, he started running. The penalty was death. The Border Police, the most brutal of all units, knows no other way to overpower a fleeing autistic Palestinian except to execute him. The cowardly Border Police officers fired some 10 bullets into Hallaq as he fled, until he died. That’s how they always act. That’s what they’ve been trained to do.
Israeli Police Officers Shoot and Kill Disabled Palestinian in Jerusalem
Eyad Hallaq, 32, attended and worked in a special needs school close to where he was shot ■ Shooting officer says he suspected Hallaq was a terrorist because he was wearing gloves
Netanyahu Says ‚No Terror Supporters‘ in Gov’t After Gantz Calls for Unity With ‚All Parts of House‘
According to a statement from Netanyahu’s bureau on Friday morning, the premier stressed to Gantz during their nighttime meeting that „terror supporters“ cannot be part of said government, neither in normal circumstances nor in emergency.
The comment seems to be implicitly refering to members of the Arab-majority Joint List, the third largest party in the Knesset, which Netanyahu heavily vilified during Israel’s numerous election campaigns over the last year.
Israel Election: Gantz Speaks to Joint List, Says Will Form Gov’t to Serve Jews and Arabs
Earlier the Kahol Lavan leader met with Lieberman, agreeing that the main goal is to avoid a fourth round of elections ■ Gantz to hold meeting with all four leaders of Joint List faction Tuesday
The Joint List in a gesture towards Gantz: MK @AidaTuma says „I think there’s no need for a law of return. Whoever [Palestinian Arab citizens] wanted to return are already here.“ #boom
#BOOM: Gantz in message to Ayman Odeh: „We would never dare to say that the votes of 20% of Israeli citizens are worth less.“ The Joint List chairman has demanded Gantz retract his statement, copied from Netanyahu, about forming a government with a majority.
Palestinian voters are the new power brokers in Israel, much to Netanyahu’s chagrin
Will the Blue and White opposition abandon this racist logic of a “Jewish majority”, and form an alliance with the Joint List in order to oust Netanyahu? This remains to be seen. The stakes could not be higher, not only for Netanyahu personally, but for Israel’s future: whether it will continue its slide towards a “democracy” for Jews only, or instead choose a path that could lead to meaningful equal citizenship and democracy.
Die einzige Demokratie im Nahen Osten? Besatzung beenden oder dieselben staatsbürgerlichen Rechte für Palästinenser
Denn Becks Fazit fällt eindeutig aus: Zweifelsfrei um eine Demokratie gehandelt habe es sich bei Israel lediglich in einem kurzen sechsmonatigen Zeitraum zwischen der Abschaffung des Militärrechts für arabische Israelis im November 1966 und dem Beginn des Sechstagekrieges im Juni 1967.
Spätestens mit Beginn der Besatzungsherrschaft habe Israel seinen Charakter als Demokratie verloren. Für heutige Debatten rund um Israel empfiehlt der Nahost-Professor deshalb auf das Demokratieargument besser zu verzichten.
Israel Election Results: Netanyahu Surges Past Gantz, but One Seat Shy of Ruling Majority, Exit Polls Show
The Joint List, an Arab-majority alliance of factions, maintained its position as the Israeli parliament’s third-largest party, according to exit polls, …
The Joint List of Arab parties grew stronger and will be the third-largest party in the Knesset with 14-15 seats. The left-wing alliance Labor-Gesher-Meretz lost ground and is projected to win 6-7 seats.
Israel Election 2020: Facebook Deletes Netanyahu Video After He Violates Election Law Again
„Attempts are being made across the web to suppress the participation of Arab citizens of Israel,“ said Morshed Bebar, who led the Democratic Bloc investigation.
Bebar said that publication patterns by these fake accounts indicate an organized and systematic operation.“
Israel Election: Arab Alliance Eyes Record Gains in Seats and Female Lawmakers
Two women occupy the 14th and 15th spots: Sundus Saleh and Iman Khatib, from the Ta’al and Ra’am factions respectively.
Arabs of Israel: Enough Begging
Only a major and impressive show of force by Israel’s Arabs will persuade Israel’s Jews that they have no choice but to partner with you. Only a show of force in the election will overcome Zionism. Only a show of force will stop racism. The ball is in your court, Arabs of Israel, at the polling stations between Tarshiha and Hura.
Ayman Odeh, the Israeli Left’s Natural Leader
Now that Meretz and Labor have banded together and don’t face any real danger, Odeh wants to take a small bite out of its electorate, not to swallow them, just a little bite to complete a 15-seat slate and carry out his vision to define the Joint List as the real social-political left.
And he’s doing so the same way left-wing leaders have worked through the generations, using the right quote and the right moment, and from the right poem.
For Israel’s Left, Jewish-Arab Partnership ‚Unwanted,‘ Activists Charge After Merger
In contrast, the Joint List of Arab-majority parties did not conceal its satisfaction over the move. They sent their blessing to Meretz and Labor over the union, taking into account Israel’s larger political context, but also for probably boosting participation in the Arab electorate. “Members of the Zionist left who believe in Jewish-Arab partnership and in social justice are welcome to join the Joint List,” said Hadash MK Aida Touma-Sliman.
Arab Joint List Welcomes Election, Center-left Alliance Fears Failure as Parties Prepare for Third Round
The Joint List, the Arab alliance of four parties, emerged as the third-largest party after the September election. It remains optimistic ahead of the March 2 ballot, and its members hope to gain somewhere between 15 to 16 seats in the Knesset – three more than they had garnered in the previous election. Part of their strategy to achieve this increase in votes is to turn directly to potential Jewish voters.
Poll: 49% of Israeli-Arabs back minority gov’t led by Benny Gantz
The survey, commissioned by Army Radio, showed 49% of Israeli-Arab citizens supporting the Joint List, made up of four separate Arab parties, backing Gantz from outside a coalition government even if it includes secular right-wing politician Avigdor Liberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party.
Joint List leader says Netanyahu has ’sealed his legacy as a bitter criminal‘
The head of the Joint List, the political alliance made up of four separate Arab parties, responded to Netanyahu’s speech, saying “All of us, Arabs and our Jewish partners, will breathe a sigh of relief the day he goes.”
Ayman Odeh further attacked the premier by stating that „This evening he sealed his legacy as a bitter criminal who doesn’t know how to lose, only to harm and incite against those he was supposed to serve.”
Netanyahu: Minority gov’t with Arab Joint List ‚terror attack‘ against Israel
At ‚emergency conference,‘ Israeli PM warns Tehran would ‚celebrate‘ a Blue and White minority gov’t
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a rally in Tel Aviv on Sunday decrying the possibility that Benny Gantz is set to form a minority government backed by the Arab Joint List alliance in the coming days.
Arab Israeli Leader Ayman Odeh Makes It Into Time’s List of ‚100 Rising Stars‘
“Ordinarily, it’s difficult for a non-Jewish politician to break through in Israeli politics,” Time wrote. “Arab Israelis may account for every fifth resident of the country, but in its parliament, the Knesset, they are routinely relegated to a corner. All of which makes Ayman Odeh, the head of Israel’s Arab parliamentarians, all the more extraordinary. As the contest for leadership of the self-declared Jewish state teetered between right-wing and centrist factions, Odeh emerged not only as a possible kingmaker but also as a stirring new voice for equality and inclusion.”
Netanyahu Exploits Gaza Flare-up to Blast Joint List and Isolate Israeli Arabs
The prime minister’s assault kills minority government option and undercuts Joint List efforts to ally with the Jewish center-left
Two Israeli Communists among Protestors Injured at Kafr Qaddum
One of the two Israeli Communist demonstrators injured at Kafr Qaddum is evacuated by Palestinians, last Friday October 4. (Photo: Zo Haderech)
Minister in charge of police says ‚very violent‘ culture to blame for Arab sector violence
Public Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan draws ire of Joint List leader who calls the remarks ‚racist‘ and accuses the minister of victim blaming; comments come in wake of protests against lack of police response to rise of violence in Israel’s Arab communities.
Arab Israelis vow to continue protests against violence, police neglect
Many Israeli-Arab communities have experienced a recent surge in violence, with some 70 people killed in 2019, marking a 20% increase from last year. This September, 13 Arab-Israeli civilians were murdered.
Arab leaders place most of the blame on the Israeli authorities, accusing police of not putting enough effort into fighting illegal firearms.
If Center-left Forms Gov’t With Haredis, We May Support It, Arab Israeli MK Says
MK Ofer Shelah of Kahol Lavan, who was interviewed after Tibi, said he did not rule out such a proposal.
Rivlin, President of the Jews – Not Israelis
Yes, this initiative of yours, Mr. President, is very grave indeed! You are dividing the country on an ethnic basis, you are placing one people above another, one public above another, one group above another, when your job is to say loud and clear: They are all my sons. And for this you do not have a mandate. You do not have a mandate to divide the country between Jews and Arabs. You do not have a mandate to exclude a fifth of the population.
Israel Election Results: Three-quarters of Israeli Arabs Support Joining Ruling Coalition, Poll Shows
The survey, conducted by the Guttman Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at the Jerusalem-based Israel Democracy Institute, found that more than three out of every four Arab citizens were in favor of Arab parties joining the ruling coalition and their members serving as ministers in the government, but that nearly half of all Jewish citizens (49 percent) were resistant to the idea.
Joint List chairman says he could recommend Gantz as PM
Parliamentarian Aymen Odeh told Army Radio Wednesday morning he would consider supporting Netanyahu’s chief political rival as official results trickling in continued to solidify a strong showing for the coalition of Arab parties.
Head of Arab faction mulls backing Gantz to form next coalition
The chairman of the Joint List of Arab parties, Ayman Odeh, said Wednesday that he may recommend Blue and White leader Benny Gantz as the next prime minister when he meets with President Reuven Rivlin.
Gantz has already reached out to him, Odeh said, adding that “on Wednesday afternoon, we will decide which path to take.”
Israel Election 2019: Facebook Removes Fake Accounts Encouraging Arabs Not to Vote
According to a statement by the organization, the accounts are suspected of „actively commenting on pages that encourage voting or to posts discussing the election, in order to undermine Israeli-Arab politicians and their parliamentary work.“
The statement added that such comments were often backed by other suspected fake accounts, and were marked and promoted by Facebook’s algorithm as „Top Fans.“
Facebook confirmed that it deleted profiles that it found to be undoubtedly fake.
You are an Arab-Israeli? (hint: Barack Obama ist not an African. He is an Afro-American) You are thinking about not to vote today? Take this sad song and make it better. GO OUT NOW AND BOOT NETANYAHU! (share this video / thanks: Tamer Nafar)
Tamer Must Vote – (تامر مجبور يصوت (الفاشي ماشي
(03.04.2019)
Lyrics & performance: Tamer Nafar
Script: Tamer Nafar & Udi Aloni
Special Guest Appearance: Lamis Ammar
Producers: Reut Mor, Udi Aloni, Tamer Nafar
Director and Editor: Eliav Lilti
Line Producer: Ruty Klein
Right-Wing Settlers behind Ads Calling on Arabs to Boycott Vote
During the campaign before the last general elections in April, billboards went up throughout Arab communities and towns in the Galilee urging voters to boycott the vote. Many residents assumed the ads, which did not identify their sponsors, were an initiative of political forces in the Arab community such the Islamic Movement’s Northern Branch, which traditionally boycotts Israel’s national elections.
However, a Channel 12 news inquiry broadcast on Friday, September 6, revealed that the campaign was very likely commissioned and financed by right-wing Jewish settlers who hoped to significantly decrease Arab turnout at the polls.
This is a big deal and a big win for Netanyahu – and a vehemently anti-Democratic act, affirming Israeli disenfranchisement of Palestinian citizens. It shows the Right has permeated every institution in the country, and that legality has no meaning.
Central election committee rules „Zazim“ initiative illegal
The injunction came after the Likud party submitted a petition arguing that Zazim, which is heavily funded by the US-based New Israel Fund, an organization that has butted heads with the Likud party before, was violating election laws with its initiative.
In 2017 the V15 law was passed in order to prevent foreign funded non-party political organizations from interfering with the elections.
Standing Up to Likud’s Voter Suppression
(12.09.2019)
Two days before the last Israeli election in April, Israel’s ruling Likud Party petitioned the Central Elections Committee to shut down a get out the vote operation by an Israeli campaigning organization called Zazim — an organization that Online Progressive Engagement Network (OPEN) and I co-founded with activist Raluca Ganea four years ago, which functions very much like an Israeli version of MoveOn.org. The government’s efforts were unsuccessful, and Zazim’s campaign went ahead as planned, bringing thousands of Arab Bedouin voters from unrecognized villages in southern Israel to their polling places.
Last week, the Likud Party once again petitioned the Central Elections Committee to prevent Zazim from helping citizens exercise their right to vote. Today, Israel’s Attorney General confirmed that Zazim’s activity is fully legal. Zazim’s organizers plan to help some 15,000 Arab voters cast their ballots next Tuesday.
Palestinians in Israel: Netanyahu’s racism makes us want to vote
Days ahead of a national parliamentary vote the streets of this Palestinian city, which was absorbed into the Tel Aviv municipality after 1948, were buzzing with election fervour.
Campaign posters for the Arab Joint List, an electoral alliance of four Palestinian parties, are visible across the ancient port city. The faces of the Joint List’s main candidates adorn street lamps and apartment buildings, while their slogan, „Our unity is our strength“, has been plastered across shop windows and balconies.
Netanyahu’s Facebook page suspended over hate speech
The social media company said the post violated its hate speech policy.
Facebook consequently disabled the page’s automatic chat function for 24 hours.
The Israeli prime minister has denied writing the post.
In an interview with Kan Reshet Bet radio, Mr Netanyahu suggested that a staffer’s mistake was responsible.
Disgusting. An automated message on Netanyahu’s Facebook page read „Arabs want to annihilate us all – women, children and men.“ Joint List Chairman Ayman Odeh called it „racist and dangerous incitement.“
‚Camera Law‘ Would Let Israeli Parties Retain Footage of Voters Filmed at Polling Stations
In practice, the proposed law would permit parties‘ representatives to maintain a database of voters and record their conversations both inside and outside the polls
Hadash MK Ofer Cassif: Netanyahu Deliberately Leading Israel to War
Hadash MK Ofer Cassif placed responsibility for the escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah on Sunday, September 1, at the doorstep of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him “the serial criminal from Balfour Street.”
Cassif said “Netanyahu and his servants are responsible” for the recent clash, adding they mean to “occupy the seat of power with blood and to ensure the criminal [Netanyahu] will escape prison.”
Joint List leader, MK Ayman Odeh (Hadash) agreed saying, “We will not be silent when the cannons roar” and warned that a further war “will not bring security, only death, destruction and victims on both sides.”
Poll: 78% of Arab Voters Support the Joint List Entering a Coalition
A large majority (76%) of those surveyed supported Hadash MK Ayman Odeh’s declaration last Friday, August 23, that he would join a moderate-center government; 65% of those asked expressed their full support for the Joint List joining a coalition headed by Kahol-Lavan (Blue & White); and 20% responded they neither support nor oppose the such a move.
Youssef Makladeh, the CEO of Statnet, told Maariv: “This isn’t new; past surveys have indicated that the Arab community in Israel is more interested in more pragmatic leadership that will work towards solving more acute issues, such as curbing the spread of violence, [achieving] building permits [for Arab towns], [developing local] infrastructure and sewage management [for their places of residence].” Makladeh added, “For the first time in a decade, an Arab leader has thrown the ball into the court of the Jewish parties.”
I Can Barely Feel Israel’s Democracy, but I’m Still Going to Vote in Its Election
There are basically two regimes: a democratic regime for Jews and a fascist regime for Arabs; a democratic regime that promises someone like the racist rapper „The Shadow“ unlimited freedom of expression and makes a lawmaker like Hazan into a superstar of incitement.
Nor do we see the public or law enforcement get worked up when some Jews shamelessly permit our killing and literally define us as their slaves. Do I really need to explain how the state treats us?
Fighting to Get Out the Arab Vote: A Grassroots Movement in Israel Is Gaining Steam
According to an internal poll commissioned by Coalition 17/9, were the election held today, 56 percent of eligible Arab voters would cast their ballot. That’s a considerable improvement over the last election but still a long way to go.
Swaid believes the reunification of the Joint List is the main factor behind this positive trend.
Joint List Says It Doesn’t Outright Reject Joining Government After Arab Israeli Leader’s Overture
The Joint List slammed the other political parties, made up of Jewish lawmakers, for not taking an interest in the opinions of Arab lawmakers. „It’s pretty clear that the Zionist parties that make up governments do not acknowledge our natural right to influence decision-making. This was apparent after Ayman Odeh made his declarations and put the political arena to the test.“
Odeh said in an interview with Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonot that he would be willing to recommend Gantz to President Reuven Rivlin as the candidate for making up the coalition, and that he would also be open to joining a center-left governing coalition.
מאבק משותף | עתיד משותף | רשימה משותפת דברים שאמרתי היום בהשקת הקמפיין שלנו בתל אביב. לא תהיה תחליף לממשלת הימין בלי הכוח
Top Arab lawmaker says he is willing to join a center-left government
On Thursday, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily published a preview of an interview with Odeh that will be published in full on Friday, leading with a quote of him saying he was “willing to join a center-left government.”
However, he laid out several conditions for joining such a coalition.
Israeli Arab Party Leader Signals Historic Shift – and Brews a Political Storm
Ayman Odeh says he’s willing to sit in center-left coalition, demands establishing Palestinian state, ending occupation – but other leaders in his party say they were not consulted on this deal, and Kahol Lavan were quick to rebuff
‚We Can’t Do It Alone‘: Arab Slate Launches Campaign to Win Over Jewish Votes
They had come to launch a new campaign to get Jews to vote for the Joint List.
The event was held under the slogan “A joint struggle, a joint future.” In an unusual move, all the speakers were asked to speak in Hebrew.
Likud Plans to Spend $570,000 to Spy Again on Arab Polling Stations
Now, according to a report broadcast by Channel 13 news, the Likud plans to double its budget for a repeat campaign, spending two million shekels (approximately $570,000) to install cameras in Arab polling stations. The campaign will once again be headed up by Kaizler Inbar, and will be accompanied by increased police presence to monitor Arab voters.
Israel’s Central Election Committee – which oversees the state’s election process – will reportedly meet later this week to discuss the Likud’s program. The Channel 13 news report told how the Likud party plans to ask Supreme Court Judge Hanan Melcer, head of the elections committee, to “detail in writing what their poll watchers can and cannot do with the surveillance cameras”.
Likud doubles budget for program placing hidden cameras in Arab polling stations
The operation is set to be run again by the Kaizler-Inbar communications firm, the source said. Kaizler-Inbar organized the April effort by recruiting activists mainly from national religious seminaries across the country and boasted in a Facebook post shortly after the vote of “success” in bringing turnout among Arabs to below 50 percent, its lowest level in decades.
@Hadash_org: No video, nowhere.. not one god damn word in english..you prove how important the distinction is between „self-hating leftist“ and „leftist-hating leftist“. Anyway, look over here.. #bootBibi
חד“ש רצה במשותפת. זו האלטרנטיבה עבור כל הציבור בישראל, ערבים ויהודים. האופוזיציה האמיתית במציאות הפוליטית שלנו. רק משותפת חזקה יכולה להפיל את שלטון הימין ולפגוע בתוכניות לרסק את שאריות המרחב הדמוקרטי. אנחנו ניאבק בכל המקומות שהשלטון עובד נגד הציבור – בשטח ובכנסת, באומץ ובנחישות.
The Joint List, Reborn, Must Now Win the Trust of the Israeli Arab Public
Three Arab parties agree on joint Knesset run; Balad expected to decide Sunday
The Joint List picked up 13 seats in the 2015 elections following its formation, making it the third largest faction in the Knesset. However, the union split ahead of elections in April into the separate Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am-Balad lists, which won 10 seats between them.
Democratic Union Party needs an Arab candidate, Zandberg vows
MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz) called on Saturday for the Democratic Union Party to add an Arab-Israeli to the list during a panel in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.
Zandberg, whose Meretz Party joined forces with the party led by former prime minister Ehud Barak and MK Stav Shaffir, vowed she will do all that is possible to ensure that there is an Arab member at the top of the list.
Third Arab-majority party backs proposal to resuscitate Joint List
The Joint List won 13 seats in the 120-member Knesset in 2015. Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am-Balad in April separately won a total of 10 seats.
Arab Israeli voters turned out in dramatically lower numbers for April’s vote compared to that of 2015.
Polls show Democratic Union Party to net 8-12 seats
Horowitz said the party would be left-wing and proud, and would not join any right-wing government, even one not led by Netanyahu. The top goal of the party in the agreement its leaders signed was reaching a peace agreement.
“The Israeli Left has returned to be large and influential, and the days of kissing up to the Right are over,” he promised.
Democratic Union Leaders Launch Campaign: Left Has Never Been Stronger; Netanyahu – Your Time Is Up
(25.07.2019)
Horowitz says alliance is ’setting out on a path that will lead to regime change in Israel‘; Barak, placed 10th on slate, vows to ‚give Netanyahu a fight,‘ while Shaffir calls for Israeli Arabs to see union as their allies
Analysis: Bold re-structuring could save Arab, left-wing parties from eroding power. But is it possible?
(12.07.2019)
The results of Israel’s April elections were a wake-up call for both Jewish-Israeli left-wingers and Arab citizens of Israel. More than ever before, they have come to depend on each other. The equation is simple: both want to regain power; and neither can do it alone.
All political strategists say that in order to survive, both the left and Arabs need to create some political structure that can empower both.
Interesting developments within the Arab parties. No progress towards a joint list to contest the September elections;
internal elections in the Islamic Party placed a woman in 4th. Thank you @emankassem
Reconstruct the Joint List Now
The formation of the joint ticket has been delayed by disagreements over who should occupy the 11th through 14th slots on the slate (Jack Khoury, Monday). But if they can’t bridge these gaps and reunite as the Joint List, those slots are likely to be irrelevant in any case.
Strengthening Arab representation in the legislature and toppling the government are necessary conditions for fighting the Netanyahu-led coalition that passed the nation-state law. This isn’t the time for unnecessary quarrels or disputes that can be resolved after the election. The Israeli voter rewards political mergers. The Joint List must be promptly reconstituted.
Israel’s Do-over Election Gives Arab Parties an Opportunity – One They’re Refusing to Seize
There is only one reason behind all of this: A lack of agreement over who will get the 11th through 14th places on the Knesset slate
Israeli court halts park entry ban deemed racist by Arab citizens
Afula imposed the prohibition a month ago, effectively cutting off access to the 10-hectare (25-acre) park by residents of nearby Arab villages who frequented the popular site.
Israeli Arab Parties Irking Their Voters by Slowing Up Formation of Latest Joint Ticket
The dispute is over how to divide spots 11 through 14 on the joint ticket, the same problem that scotched the four-party framework in the election this past April.
Jurist Raif Zreik, who is holding talks with the parties, has warned in recent days about a massive hemorrhaging of the Arab community’s confidence in the parties.
Gantz: September elections irreversable, Netanyahu lying
„Netanyahu pressed the button for the Knesset dissolution and there is no turning back,“ Gantz says in a statement to the media from Tel Aviv. „Netanyahu sees (election) polls and invents lies.“
After comeback announcement, poll gives Barak party 6 seats
TV survey projects center-left and Arab parties would win more seats than right-wing and Orthodox factions, though path to forming government far from clear
Hadash and Arab Parties Reunite for Upcoming General Elections
(21.06.2019)
Hadash (The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality – Communist Party of Israel) and three political parties representing the Arab-Palestinian national minority in Israel, Ta’al, Ra’am and Balad, have announced they will reunite for the upcoming Knesset elections.
Vote to Dissolve Knesset Cannot Be Annulled, Says Parliamentary Legal Adviser
Sources in the Knesset said that the prime minister could push for a law cancelling the Knesset’s dispersal despite Yinon’s view, however the High Court of Justice would most likely block the move. Sources told Haaretz the chance of passing a law that would annul the dissolvement is practically zero.
Israel’s Arab Parties to Resurrect Joint List in Bid to Regain Seats
Hadash Secretary General Mansour Dehamshe and United Arab List Secretary General Ibrahim Hijazi confirmed the details Thursday morning in an interview with the Israeli Arab A-Shams radio station. Dehamshe added that the parties are expected to reach a final agreement by June 30.
In their joint statement, the parties said that their representatives are „fully committed to running together in a joint list, and start formulating the political agenda and strategic management plan.“
Hoping to Thwart New Political Initiative, Israel’s Arab Parties to Announce Joint Knesset Run
The four Arab-majority parties in Knesset – Hadash, Ta’al, Balad and United Arab List – are expected to announce a joint run in Israel’s September 17 election within the next couple of weeks, senior Hadash offical told Haaretz Wednesday.
Jew, Arab in Joint Meretz Leadership Bid; Labor Chairman Quits Political Life
The joint candidacy will require a change to the party’s constitution to allow two people to run together for chairman. The party leadership primary is scheduled for June 27, and two weeks later there will be elections for the party Knesset slate.
“The Israeli left needs hope in the form of a true Jewish-Arab partnership, said Freige. “The Arab public showed confidence in Meretz during the last election and now we must enhance the partnership in the form of a strong and influential Arab-Jewish left.”
Restore the Joint List
The support from Hadash-Ta’al and United Arab List-Balad for the law that dissolved the Knesset – in contrast to the other center-left parties who voted against it – stemmed first and foremost from the internal political considerations of the four parties that make up the two slates. All of them saw new elections as a window of opportunity to correct the errors that resulted in their relatively poor showing in the April 9 elections to the 21st Knesset.
Fearing Election Wipeout, Israeli Parties on Left and Right Talk Mergers
Left-wing party Meretz is in talks with Arab-majority parties over the possibility of running on a joint slate in Israel’s September 17 election.
Hadash chairman Ayman Odeh did not rule out Meretz lawmaker Esawi Freige’s proposal to Hadash and Ta’al, but made it clear that before considering a linkup, Hadash has committed to its supporters to try to reestablish the Joint List, which ran in the 2015 Knesset election.
Meretz facing internal pressure to become Jewish-Arab party
(21.05.2019)
The demand, put forth by an internal Meretz group known as the Forum for Jewish-Arab Cooperation, calls on the party leadership to either formally join with Hadash-Ta’al — a union of the Arab-Jewish Hadash party and Ahmad Tibi’s Ta’al party — or transition into a fully-fledged Jewish-Arab party with an Arab party chairperson alongside a Jewish one.
New Election in Israel Are the Golden Opportunity for Arab Parties
In the April 9 election, voter turnout in the Arab community fell to less than 50 percent, and United Arab List-Balad received only 3.3 percent of all the votes cast, just 0.05 percent above the minimum vote threshold to enter the Knesset. The Arab parties won 10 seats in the present Knesset, compared to 13 in the previous one when they ran together as the Joint List. Moreover, 27 percent of the voters opted for Zionist parties, and Meretz in particular.
Israeli Arabs Who Refuse to Vote Are Handing Netanyahu Victory on a Silver Platter
According to a report on Israeli voters issued last month by the Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli Arabs comprise 16 percent of the total electorate.
Tamer Must Vote – (تامر مجبور يصوت (الفاشي ماشي
Lyrics & performance: Tamer Nafar
Script: Tamer Nafar & Udi Aloni
Special Guest Appearance: Lamis Ammar
Producers: Reut Mor, Udi Aloni, Tamer Nafar
Director and Editor: Eliav Lilti
Line Producer: Ruty Klein
Boycott Israel’s Election? A Palestinian Rapper Says No
(4.4.2019)
Frustrated over their choices in the Israeli election, and at Arab politicians whom they describe as ineffective, some Palestinian citizens of Israel have been gathering popular support for a boycott of Tuesday’s ballot.
But a well-known Palestinian hip-hop artist released a powerful new video on Thursday pushing back on the boycott, urging Arab citizens not to waste their votes — and expressing hope that a strong turnout on Tuesday could help send Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu packing, or even “to prison.”
Tamer Must Vote – (تامر مجبور يصوت (الفاشي ماشي
Lyrics & performance: Tamer Nafar
Script: Tamer Nafar & Udi Aloni
Special Guest Appearance: Lamis Ammar
Producers: Reut Mor, Udi Aloni, Tamer Nafar
Director and Editor: Eliav Lilti
Line Producer: Ruty Klein
Tamer Must Vote – (تامر مجبور يصوت (الفاشي ماشي
Lyrics & performance: Tamer Nafar
Script: Tamer Nafar & Udi Aloni
Special Guest Appearance: Lamis Ammar
Producers: Reut Mor, Udi Aloni, Tamer Nafar
Director and Editor: Eliav Lilti
Line Producer: Ruty Klein
Israel’s Arabs Could Kick Netanyahu Out of Office. There’s Only One Problem
In purely numerical terms, Israeli Arabs make up enough of the electorate — about 17 percent, equivalent to slightly more than 20 seats in the 120-seat Knesset — that if they turn out en masse this year, their vote could push Gantz’s presumed bloc over the top on April 9. On the other hand, if they sit out the election in larger than usual numbers, it’s likely to be the right-wing bloc led by Netanyahu that will benefit.
Israeli Arabs Aren’t Flocking to the Polls
This is a serious mistake. High turnout among Arab Israelis isn’t only critical to bolster their sense of belonging to the state; it’s also a necessary condition for replacing the government. Netanyahu understands this very well. That’s why he has made keeping the Arabs away from the polls a key political goal – in order to keep the left out of power.
Netanyahu Opens the Doors of Power to Extremists
If we are to defeat this dangerous alliance, we must provide a clear alternative. The only way for the left to prevail is to choose solidarity and the shared Jewish-Arab struggle for peace, equality and democracy.
Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel represent 20 percent of the population. We cannot change the course of the country alone. But there is no electoral math that leads to victory for a center-left-wing coalition without the participation of the Arab parties.
Very disturbing to hear Ofer Cassif, the Jewish candidate for Hadash has been banned from taking part in elections. Yes, try to absorb this: a Jewish candidate fighting for peace+equality is banned while fascist Kahanists are free to run. Another sad day for Israeli democracy.
Israeli Arab Slate, Far-left Candidate Banned From Election Hours After Kahanist Leader Allowed to Run
The Central Election Committee disqualified the Arab joint slate Balad-United Arab List and Ofer Cassif, a member of politicial alliance Hadash-Ta’al, from running in the election on Wednesday, opposing the opinion of Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit.
‚Police broke my knee, threatened my doctors,‘ Arab civil society leader tells court
Police file criminal complaint against Arab MK Ayman Odeh for calling the officers who refused to let him visit a hospitalized protester ‘losers’.