SOURCE :- SIASAT NEWS
Several Israeli cities witnessed demonstrations on Saturday evening, October 31, as protesters called for a Jewish-Arab government to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the inconclusive election.
In Tel Aviv, hundreds gathered at Habima Square for a rally organised by the grassroots movement Standing Together, which advocates political partnership between Jewish and Arab citizens. Around 500 people attended, according to The Times of Israel, before marching towards Rabin Square.
Protesters carried placards reading “67 mandates for change” and “67 for equality”. They also chanted slogans including “Jews and Arabs refuse to be enemies” and “No to racism, yes to partnership”.
Speaking to AFP at the Tel Aviv rally, Ayelet Raz, a 60-year-old psychologist, said Arab citizens, who make up around 20 per cent of Israel’s population, had the right to political participation.
“This is the last chance for real change,” she said, warning that Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, was a “great manipulator”.
“We need to give peace a chance. Otherwise we’ll have this bloodshed forever,” she added.
Demonstrations were also reported in Jerusalem, while rallies were planned in Haifa, Beersheba and Tayibe. The protesters urged opposition leaders to cooperate with Arab parties rather than exclude them from coalition negotiations.
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Arab parties hold key to Netanyahu’s replacement
This comes as parliamentary election held on Tuesday, October 27, left Netanyahu’s bloc with 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while opposition parties secured 48. The Arab-led Joint List and United Arab List (Ra’am) won the remaining 19 seats.
The combined strength of the opposition and Arab parties gives them 67 seats, above the 61 required for a parliamentary majority. However, political differences over working with Arab parties have complicated efforts to form an alternative government.
Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the opposition, has said he would only form a Zionist government whose members recognise Israel as a Jewish, democratic and liberal state. This position has raised questions about the scope of cooperation with Arab parties.
The Joint List has indicated that it is prepared to support an alternative government from outside the coalition. United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas has also held discussions with political parties from both camps.
Democratic Party leader Yair Golan has backed cooperation with Arab parties and met Abbas on Thursday, October 29.
Netanyahu opposed the proposed alliance, describing cooperation with Arab parties as a “disaster for Israel” in a social media post on Saturday.
SOURCE : SIASAT
