Arab coalition leader says opposition has chance to change Israel’s political direction

Politics · First reported 2 Nov, 06:00 · Updated 06:55

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Francis Matahum · CC BY-SA 4.0

Yousef Jabareen says the Joint List could support an opposition effort to replace Benjamin Netanyahu’s government without joining a coalition. The election left no single bloc with a clear claim to power, while Arab parties hold a potentially decisive number of seats.

Jabareen said the Joint List was willing to consider supporting an opposition government from outside a coalition, but would not join one while Israel’s occupation of the West Bank continues.
The article reports that Netanyahu’s coalition fell from 68 to 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset; the Change bloc had 48 seats, and Arab parties held 19.
Jabareen said Arab Israeli voter turnout more than doubled to about 80%. Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza did not vote.
The article says President Isaac Herzog was expected to consult political leaders on who should first try to form a government. Opposition parties would need to agree on a candidate and on cooperation with Arab parties.
Jabareen called for addressing inequality affecting Arab citizens and said the opposition could seek to change Knesset leadership and legislative oversight before a government is formed.

Summary written by Lux AI from 3 articles

Key facts

Knesset: 120 seats; Netanyahu’s coalition had 53 and the Change bloc had 48.
Arab parties: Held 19 seats: 11 for the Joint List and 8 for Ra’am.
Arab Israeli turnout: More than doubled to about 80%.
Jabareen’s position: The Joint List would consider supporting an opposition government from outside, but not joining it.