Negotiations over Arab joint list hit snag as Ahmad Tibi rejects proposed slate

Israeli Arab parties' plans to field a unified electoral slate for the upcoming October 27 elections have collapsed after Ta’al leader MK Ahmad Tibi rejected a proposed Knesset list drafted by an inter-party reconciliation committee. The breakdown comes amid ongoing tensions over how to structure the joint list, with Tibi’s opposition to the slate effectively ending the possibility of a unified Arab front in the election. This marks a significant shift in the political landscape, potentially altering the balance of power in the Knesset and affecting the broader electoral strategy of the Arab minority in Israel. The proposed slate, developed by the reconciliation committee, a body established to facilitate cooperation among the Arab parties, was intended to outline the order of candidates on the joint list. According to the committee’s plan, Hadash chairman Yousef Jabareen would appear first, followed by Tibi in the second position. However, Tibi refused to accept this arrangement, citing concerns over fairness and perceived bias within the committee. A Ta’al party member described the proposal as “unfair” and “a stab in the back,” suggesting that the committee had favored certain parties over others. Despite Tibi’s rejection, both Hadash and Balad expressed support for the proposed list and urged continued unity among Arab parties ahead of the election. A Hadash spokesperson confirmed that the party had accepted the committee’s recommendations and emphasized the need to proceed without delay in preparing for the joint campaign. The spokesperson noted that Hadash had made every effort to secure a broad consensus during the negotiation process, underscoring the importance of maximizing voter turnout and ensuring robust political representation for the Arab population. Tibi’s decision to reject the slate has triggered further complications. Two members of the reconciliation committee resigned in response to the breakdown in negotiations, signaling growing frustration with the stalemate. Meanwhile, the proposed list would have given Ta’al fewer positions compared to Hadash and Balad, raising questions about whether the distribution of spots adequately reflected each party’s influence and size. The committee’s plan included specific placements for representatives from each party, though some positions remained unspecified, particularly for Ta’al candidates. The collapse of the negotiations leaves the future of the Arab electoral alliance in doubt. While Hadash and Balad remain committed to forming a joint list, the absence of Ta’al means the alliance will be significantly weakened. In previous elections, the Arab parties achieved their highest success when running together, notably in the 2020 election when the Joint List secured 15 seats. Since then, however, divisions have grown, culminating in the 2021 split when Ra’am left the coalition to join the Bennett-Lapid government. Efforts to reunite all major Arab parties under a single slate have faced persistent obstacles, particularly regarding Ra’am’s participation. Led by MK Mansour Abbas, Ra’am has consistently resisted joining a unified list, preferring instead to maintain independence to pursue coalition opportunities. Abbas has previously stated that he will not run jointly with the other Arab parties in the upcoming elections, further complicating the prospects for a cohesive Arab front. The current situation reflects the complex dynamics within the Arab political spectrum, where ideological differences and strategic considerations often hinder collective action. With the Joint List fractured once again, the Arab parties face the challenge of deciding whether to run independently or attempt to reforge alliances before the submission deadline for Knesset lists. The outcome of these deliberations will likely shape the political discourse and representation of the Arab minority in the coming months.