MK Talab El-Sana (whose party is called the United Arab List) is calling upon Israel’s Arab parties to unite under one electoral list. El-Sana says that by unifying into one list, the Arabs could thwart plans to build more Jewish communities in the Galilee and Negev regions.
Those plans are being promoted by Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres (Labor), as an alternative for settling Jews in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza.
In a letter to Arab politicians and community leaders, El-Sana, a bedouin from the Negev, is calling for a meeting to discuss the issue of Arab unity in the face of the upcoming elections.
Much like some of his Jewish counterparts (particularly on the right), El-Sana claims that competition among various smaller parties reduces the number of Arab MK’s who get elected to the Knesset.
El-Sana says that a unified list would raise Arab participation in Israeli elections to 90%. Roughly 60% of Arabs eligible to vote participate in elections, a rate much lower that that for Jews.
If Arabs voted according to their percentage of the general population (20%), they could elect up to 24 Knesset representatives. In the last elections, Arab parties succeeded in electing eight candidates. Arabs, however, are often represented in other, Zionist parties.
El-Sana said that unity was necessary “in light of new political developments and their expected ramifications on Arab citizens.” He specifically cited Peres’ plan to expand Jewish settlement in the Galilee and the Negev. He said that a unified Arab list could “push that plan and its dangers for Arab citizens” off the public agenda.
El-Sana also claims that a unified Arab list “could become the third biggest Knesset faction and give Arab MK’s an opportunity to impact on the political situation and change the social and economic reality to the benefit of Arab citizens who suffer from unemployment and poverty.”
El-Sana warned fellow Arabs against voting for Zionist parties, especially since MK Amir Peretz was elected to head the Labor party. A large portion of Labor party members are from the Arab sector.
Those plans are being promoted by Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres (Labor), as an alternative for settling Jews in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza.
In a letter to Arab politicians and community leaders, El-Sana, a bedouin from the Negev, is calling for a meeting to discuss the issue of Arab unity in the face of the upcoming elections.
Much like some of his Jewish counterparts (particularly on the right), El-Sana claims that competition among various smaller parties reduces the number of Arab MK’s who get elected to the Knesset.
El-Sana says that a unified list would raise Arab participation in Israeli elections to 90%. Roughly 60% of Arabs eligible to vote participate in elections, a rate much lower that that for Jews.
If Arabs voted according to their percentage of the general population (20%), they could elect up to 24 Knesset representatives. In the last elections, Arab parties succeeded in electing eight candidates. Arabs, however, are often represented in other, Zionist parties.
El-Sana said that unity was necessary “in light of new political developments and their expected ramifications on Arab citizens.” He specifically cited Peres’ plan to expand Jewish settlement in the Galilee and the Negev. He said that a unified Arab list could “push that plan and its dangers for Arab citizens” off the public agenda.
El-Sana also claims that a unified Arab list “could become the third biggest Knesset faction and give Arab MK’s an opportunity to impact on the political situation and change the social and economic reality to the benefit of Arab citizens who suffer from unemployment and poverty.”
El-Sana warned fellow Arabs against voting for Zionist parties, especially since MK Amir Peretz was elected to head the Labor party. A large portion of Labor party members are from the Arab sector.