Even within the government – and not just a blocking bloc

By: Muhammad Yahya, Attorney

In the discourse taking place in Israeli society today, the issue of the future of the state and the status of Arab society is prominent. A true and legitimate partnership means membership in an alternative government from within, and not just as a blocking bloc from without. Otherwise, democracy, which is already frozen, will become even colder.

In everyday life, in hospitals, factories, sports, service industries, institutions, high-tech, and government offices, we practically lead a normal life together until the evening hours, when everyone returns home, turns on the TV, and surfs the Internet. During these hours, we split into two worlds, into two separate societies, to the point of dangerous separatism for Israeli society – which is already in an atmosphere of growing division and radicalization.

The delegitimization of Arab society – starting with the claim that the "majority is not Jewish" in the Rabin government, with the deterioration of relations after the events of October 2000 and during two years of war.

In practice, "Kaplan without Arabs" and the slogan "government only for Jews" are phenomena for which the leaders of the various political currents are also responsible, all of whom align themselves with the exclusion of two million citizens from Arab society. Statements such as "Israeli society is not yet ready for an Arab minister in the government" or "the Arabs can only play the role of a blocking bloc" encourage an anti-democratic culture in the public's subconscious, which ultimately harms the country itself and an entire public that is trying to reach an alternative government. Change can come from the street, as well as from leaders. Statements and declarations by politicians also build the political culture of a society.

Over a million eligible voters in Arab society can influence and receive a mandate, which will allow participation in a future government. Supporting a government from the outside by a blocking bloc or a replacement for the ultra-Orthodox is a recipe that is founded on error, and is incompatible with respect and equality among the citizens of a democratic state. The very talk of Israeli society's immaturity to accept Arab members in a future government undermines the foundations of democracy, which Kaplan has been fighting for for over three years!

The actual change process can be expressed on three levels.

On the first level, participation in elections. Representation in the Knesset is no less important than membership in the government, since that is where policy is determined and the decision-making process takes place. Arab society cannot afford to sit at home and not exercise the voting rights of more than a million citizens, who can change the political map and influence internal decisions in the country and local government alike. A high voter turnout by the Arab public in elections to the Knesset and local authorities is essential and critical as a first step towards change.

On the second level, political partnership. A real Arab-Jewish partnership must be built, not just for show. Declarations without implementation and one-time, decorative symbolic representation on Knesset lists do not advance the interests and do not lead to the realization of the rights of the Arab public in Israel.

On the third level, personal partnership. We must strive to create partnership at the individual level, a complementary act of extending a hand and a warm shoulder by our allies in Jewish society in order to continue the long and difficult process of changing the discourse in Israeli society, with the understanding that democracy means a state for all its citizens, without superiority or dependence of one side on the other, a sincere and sustainable Jewish-Arab alliance. This factor is especially important in light of the retreat in all the foundations of democracy that we have witnessed in recent years.

Members of Arab society, natives of the country and citizens of the state, have gradually integrated into Israeli society over the years. They have shown responsibility and belonging even in difficult times, and do not have to prove their innocence in every internal or regional crisis. The Honest Partnership Alliance needs partners from Israeli society on every issue and matter in order to change the discourse and attitude in daily life, in the media, in institutions and in every field, down to the conversation in the living room in the evening.

Let's raise our voices so that we don't lose everything. All of us. All of its citizens. So that we can live normal lives as human beings in the country and in the region. To create a true and legitimate partnership in the government from within, and not just from without. Otherwise, democracy will become even colder!

Muhammad Yahya, Attorney

Secretary General of the All Citizens Party