Israel: Hundreds Demand Arab Parties Be Included in New Government

TEL AVIV: Hundreds of people rallied in Israel demanding that Arab parties be included in the formation of a new government. Protesters chanted against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on his way out, and called for his rule to be formally ended.
Haaretz reported that about 300 protesters rallied in the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel, demanding that Arab factions be brought into the incoming administration. According to The Times of Israel, several hundred people gathered at the same time in Habima Square in central Tel Aviv with similar demands. In Tel Aviv, demonstrators held placards in Arabic and Hebrew reading: “67 seats. Let’s take a new path.” The number 67 represents the combined seats of the factions opposing Netanyahu in the 120-member Knesset, including the Arab Joint List and Ra’am. Protesters chanted “Without partnership, no peace” and demanded an end to “divide and rule” politics, along with freedom and equality for all.
Standing Together, a grassroots movement that advocates Jewish-Arab political equality and partnership, took an active part in the demonstration. Protesters also demanded the release of journalist Abd Abu Shehadeh, who Israeli media reported was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of contact with a foreign agent after a reporting trip to Doha to interview former Knesset member Azmi Bishara.
Ynet reported that the rallies took place shortly before President Isaac Herzog announced he would task Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next administration.
In the election, the factions opposing Netanyahu won 67 seats, including 19 from the two Arab parties, while parties aligned with Netanyahu won 53. However, most mainstream opposition leaders continue to oppose relying on Arab factions. Without the Arab parties, the traditional opposition has only 48 seats, well short of the 61 needed to govern.