Israeli-Arab parties in trouble
The withdrawal of Knesset member Ahmad Tibi from the Arab Joint List is confronting the already complicated alliance of factions with great difficulties.
The Joint List was created ahead of the 2015 elections in order to unite the Arab parties into one Knesset list. The Joint List was composed of four essentially Arab parties: Hadash, Ra’am, Balad and Ta’al. Now, it seems, the alliance is facing an uncertain future.
On Feb. 1-2, primary elections were held for Hadash and Balad, so that they could decide who the candidates would be for the Joint List. If there is a Joint List, that is. As of now, Knesset member Ahmad Tibi is determined to run separately as the head of his Ta’al party. He made this decision after failing to reach an agreement with the other parties as to the number of representatives Ta’al would receive. Al-Monitor has learned that in an effort to save the Joint List, Tibi was offered two spots among the first 10 candidates, as well as the 14th spot. So far, Tibi is not impressed.
