Balad leader blasts ‘racist’ exclusion of Arab parties in Israel

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1. 2h ago

   Balad Leader Blasts Exclusion of Arab Parties in Israel

   Israel faces a political deadlock following parliamentary elections that yielded no clear winner. Arab-led parties are projected to win a record 19 seats, but the self-styled Zionist opposition bloc refuses to form an alliance with them. Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh slammed the exclusion as racist, stating that Palestinian citizens of Israel are treated as illegitimate partners. Hundreds of Israelis took to the streets to urge the opposition to ally with Arab parties to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose hard-right government has targeted the minority group. Meanwhile, opposition chief Gadi Eisenkot has not decided whether to seek a coalition.

   Why it matters

   The standoff highlights deep political divides over the role of Arab factions in Israeli governance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party appears to be the largest, but his electoral bloc lacks a majority, leaving the opposition short of seats as well. At least two Arab parties, Hadash and Ta'al, have indicated willingness to set some agenda items aside to help change leadership.

   What is confirmed

   • Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh condemned the exclusion of Arab parties from coalition talks as racist.
   • Arab-led parties are projected to win a record 19 seats in the Israeli parliament.
   • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud appears to be the largest party, but his bloc has not secured enough seats to form a government.
   • Hundreds of Israelis took to the streets to urge the opposition to ally with Arab parties to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Opposition chief Gadi Eisenkot has not decided whether to seek a coalition with Arab parties.

   What to watch next

   • Decisions by opposition leaders on whether to pursue a coalition with Arab parties
   • Final certification of election seat tallies for Arab-led parties
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. www.aljazeera.com — Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera
   2. Financial Times — Israel’s Arabs seek a slice of power
   3. NPR — Ex-Israeli diplomat calls opposition's refusal to work with Arab parties 'reckless'
   4. Haaretz — Israel's Opposition Says It's Different From Netanyahu. Now It Must Prove It
   5. Al Jazeera — Balad leader blasts ‘racist’ exclusion of Arab parties in Israel
   6. The Economist — Israel’s Jewish and Arab opposition parties should work together
   7. The Times of Israel — Balad chief, barred from running, blames Israeli ‘racism’ for political deadlock
   8. www.aljazeera.com — Balad leader blasts ‘racist’ exclusion of Arab parties in ...
   9. www.al-monitor.com — Israeli protesters demand opposition ally with Arab parties to oust Netanyahu
   10. stluciachronicle.com — Balad leader blasts ‘racist’ exclusion of Arab parties in Israel - St. Lucia Chronicle – Daily St Lucia News
   11. ktemoc.blogspot.com — KTemoc Konsiders : ‘Arab voice doesn’t count’: Jewish Israeli blocs reject Palestinian support
   12. grenadachronicle.com — ‘Arab voice doesn’t count’: Jewish Israeli blocs reject Palestinian support - Grenada Chronicle – Daily Grenada And Caribb....
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