With neither Israel’s governing nor opposition blocs securing a majority, Arab parties hold the balance of power as politicians weigh coalition deals, a new election and the country’s political divide.

Israel’s opposition parties appeared to have secured enough Knesset seats in Tuesday’s elections to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power and end a four-year reign marked by genocidal war in Gaza and escalating terror and dispossession against Palestinians in the West Bank. But will they? With about 86% of ballots counted as of Wednesday […]

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In the market stalls of the old bazaar, locals call for Zionist and Arab parties to work together to bring change - but resistance to the idea by opposition leaders may render their vision a nonstarter

With about 77 percent of the votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 54 out of 120 seats.

On Wednesday, Senior Arab lawmaker Ahmad Tibi confirmed that the Joint List, an alliance of Arab-led parties, is in talks with the bloc opposing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the formation of an alternative government following Tuesday’s parliamentary election.

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Tibi, chairman of the Ta’al party, said the Joint List was ready to help the so-called “change bloc” replace Netanyahu, although it was unlikely to formally join a governing coalition. The Joint List is a political alliance of Arab-majority parties in Israel, comprising Ta’al, Balad, and Hadash.

“We have blocked the possibility of Netanyahu forming a government,” Tibi said, referring to the election results. “Our public wants us to go further and influence the shape of the political system after the elections.”

Tibi said the alliance was open to discussing parliamentary arrangements, including how and when its lawmakers would vote, in exchange for progress on issues affecting Israel’s Arab minority, including crime, house demolitions, infrastructure and incitement. “We will probably not be an organic part of this government,” he said, adding that other arrangements were possible.

Yair Golan, leader of the center-left Democrats party, which is part of the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot, urged his allies to abandon their refusal to cooperate with Arab parties. “We must no longer accept Netanyahu’s racist division between Jewish votes and Arab votes,” he said.

Israeli settlers deliberately sabotaging voting at polling stations in Palestinian towns
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Knesset member and Ta’al party leader Ahmad Tibi accused Israeli settlers of intentionally delaying the voting process across Palestinian towns during parliamentary elections.

In a… pic.twitter.com/3K0vWHg6yY

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) October 27, 2026

Yousef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, also expressed willingness to help Eisenkot replace Netanyahu. “Anyone who wants to offer a real alternative to Netanyahu’s bloodstained government will have to talk to us. We are ready to pave the way for Netanyahu’s removal,” he stated.

These remarks came as vote counting continued after an election that appeared to leave neither Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc nor the rival bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot with the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority.

With about 77 percent of the votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 54 seats in the 120-seat parliament, compared with 49 for Eisenkot’s bloc, according to Israel’s Central Elections Committee, which oversees the election. The Joint List and the Muslim Ra’am party were projected to win a combined 17 seats, with 11 going to the Joint List.

The Joint List could play a decisive role in efforts to form a government, potentially by providing parliamentary support from outside the coalition. However, both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have previously ruled out forming a government with Arab parties, complicating efforts to assemble a majority.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

Joint List chairman says he's ready to 'pave the way' for Netanyahu's ouster; with 85.6% of votes counted, PM's bloc on track to win 53 seats, Eisenkot's 48, and Arab parties 19

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