What happened
Avigdor Lieberman, the chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, has sent a message to his partners in the Change Bloc, stating that Arab Knesset members are not a viable option for cooperation. This comes after Lieberman voted with right-wing parties to disqualify the Ra'am party from the upcoming elections.
The move has created a new political order within the Change Bloc, which seeks to replace Netanyahu, and may hinder future cooperation with Arab parties. The Central Elections Committee has disqualified several Arab parties and candidates, including Ra'am, the Joint List, and Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh.
Lieberman supported all of these disqualifications, and his party is trying to establish clear boundaries for the Change Bloc, which would exclude any cooperation with Ra'am. Lieberman also aims to portray Yisrael Beiteinu as a right-wing party that encompasses even the Likud.
The move has caused discomfort within the Change Bloc, with some leaders feeling that Ra'am should not have been lumped together with other Arab parties. Only Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, spoke out against the decision to disqualify the Arab parties, stating that his party would fiercely defend the rights of Arab citizens to vote, be elected, and participate in the country's leadership.
