Israel Election: Arab Coalition Leader Offers Opposition Support to End Netanyahu’s Rule

Israel is facing a potential political turning point following an election that left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing bloc without a parliamentary majority.

Yousef Jabareen, leader of the Joint List, says the results present a historic opportunity to change the country’s political direction. He has indicated that his coalition could work with opposition parties to remove Netanyahu from power.

The October 27 parliamentary election gave Arab-led parties a record 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Their increased representation could prove decisive as rival political blocs seek the numbers needed to form Israel’s next government. Jabareen told The Guardian that the Joint List was prepared to consider supporting an alternative government from outside the governing coalition.

He said such cooperation could help change policies towards Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinians. However, he stressed that his party would not join a government while Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories continues.

Netanyahu’s Bloc Falls Short of Parliamentary Majority

The election results left Israel with a divided parliament and no political bloc holding the 61 seats required to govern independently.

Netanyahu’s Likud-led coalition secured 53 seats, down from the 68 seats held by the outgoing governing alliance.

The opposition bloc led by retired general Gadi Eisenkot secured 48 seats. Meanwhile, Arab-led parties won the remaining 19 seats, giving them considerable influence over negotiations.

The Joint List, led by Jabareen, secured 11 seats. The Islamist Ra’am party, headed by Mansour Abbas, won eight.

The results mean neither Netanyahu’s allies nor the opposition can form a government without additional parliamentary support or a political arrangement with other parties.

Jabareen Says Arab Voters Want Political Change

Jabareen described the election outcome as an opportunity to address longstanding concerns affecting Arab communities in Israel.

He pointed to issues including house demolitions, organised crime, inadequate public investment, racism and alleged police brutality.

According to the Joint List leader, Arab voters want a change in government and a different approach to these challenges.

He also called for greater equality in education, municipal funding and opportunities for young people.

Arab Israeli voter turnout reportedly rose to about 80 per cent, more than doubling the previous level. The increased participation helped Arab-led parties secure their record representation in parliament.

The Guardian reported that approximately 840,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel voted in the election. Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank and Gaza did not participate in the Israeli parliamentary vote.

Joint List Rules Out Joining an Israeli Government

Although Jabareen expressed readiness to cooperate with opposition parties, he ruled out the Joint List joining a new government under the current circumstances.

He said the continuing occupation of Palestinians in the West Bank remained a major obstacle.

Instead, the party could provide external parliamentary support through tactical voting. Such an arrangement could help an opposition-led government survive confidence votes and advance legislation.

Jabareen also suggested that opposition lawmakers could use their combined numbers to take control of key parliamentary positions.

He specifically mentioned replacing the Knesset speaker and taking control of the committee responsible for overseeing the legislative agenda.

He argued that these changes could happen before negotiations over a new government reach a conclusion.

The Joint List also wants the next parliament to review laws passed by the outgoing majority that, according to Jabareen, undermined judicial independence.

Eisenkot’s Bloc Faces Conditions Over Arab Party Cooperation

Despite the potential for cooperation, bringing the opposition and Arab-led parties together will require difficult negotiations.

Eisenkot and his partners have ruled out forming a unity government with Netanyahu. However, Eisenkot has also outlined conditions for any possible coalition arrangement involving Arab parties.

These include recognising Israel as a Jewish state, accepting compulsory national service, whether civil or military, and condemning Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas has indicated willingness to join an Eisenkot-led coalition.

The Joint List, however, has taken a different position. It prefers to remain outside the government while offering parliamentary support where necessary.

The distinction could complicate negotiations because opposition parties must agree on both a candidate for prime minister and the terms of cooperation with Arab representatives.

Avigdor Lieberman, a right-wing opposition leader, has been identified as particularly resistant to cooperation with Arab parties.

Jabareen also confirmed that informal discussions among opposition parties had begun. However, he had not spoken directly with Eisenkot following the election, according to the Guardian report.

Netanyahu Faces Pressure as Government Formation Begins

The election outcome has weakened Netanyahu’s parliamentary position, but it has not automatically removed him from office.

Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, is expected to consult political leaders after receiving the certified election results. He will then determine which political figure should receive the first opportunity to form a government.

The process could involve weeks of negotiations because neither major bloc has secured the required 61 seats.

Possible arrangements include an opposition government supported by Arab parties, a broader unity government or another political agreement between rival factions.

If negotiations fail, Israel could face another election.

The final results also leave Netanyahu’s opponents with a potential parliamentary majority if they coordinate with the Arab-led parties. However, differences over cooperation remain a major obstacle.

Arab Coalition Leader Calls for Changes Beyond Government

Jabareen has argued that replacing Netanyahu would not be enough without changes to policies affecting Arab citizens and Palestinians.

He called for an end to the war and a resumption of negotiations with Palestinian leaders. He also said any political arrangement must address discrimination and unequal treatment within Israeli society.

His comments reflect the demands the Joint List wants to place before opposition parties during the government-formation process.

The election has therefore created a new parliamentary situation in which Arab-led parties have gained unprecedented representation and could influence the next government’s formation.

Whether that influence produces a lasting political agreement remains uncertain.

For now, Jabareen says the election has opened a historic opportunity. The coming negotiations will determine whether Israel’s divided opposition can turn that opportunity into a new governing arrangement.