Arab Joint List, Democrats Plan to Oust Netanyahu Government

Leaders of the Arab Joint List and Israel’s Democratic Party met Tuesday to discuss strategies for replacing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, following the recent Knesset elections.

Yousef Jabareen, chairman of the Arab Joint List, and Ahmad Tibi, parliamentary group leader, met with Yair Golan, leader of the Democratic Party, to evaluate the political landscape and explore cooperation between their groups.

Preliminary election results show Netanyahu’s bloc securing 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while opposition parties obtained 48 seats. Arab parties collectively won 19 seats, with the Joint List earning 11 and Ra’am securing eight.

The two groups emphasized their shared goal of using the parliamentary majority to remove the Netanyahu-Ben-Gvir-Smotrich government and establish a new administration, according to a statement from the Arab Joint List.

Jabareen and Tibi also addressed key challenges facing Arab citizens of Israel and outlined plans for implementing practical solutions, as stated in the same statement.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to consult with Knesset parties Wednesday and Thursday before selecting a leader to form the next government. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, heads the opposition Change bloc, and could receive the most recommendations if he gains support from Arab lawmakers.

Netanyahu, who has served five nonconsecutive terms as prime minister, has led the current government since late 2022. He faces corruption charges, including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, which could result in prison sentences if convicted.

Netanyahu is also wanted by the International Criminal Court under an arrest warrant issued in 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, where over 74,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.