MK Ahmad Tibi, head of the Ta'al faction within the predominantly Joint Arab List, noted a positive change in Opposition Leader Yair Lapid's stance on key matters for the alliance but said the party will be thoughtful with its recommendations after the upcoming vote.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
"There is progress in Yair Lapid's policy toward Joint List and the Arab population," the veteran lawmaker told i24NEWS, adding that the Joint Arab List must learn from its decision to recommend Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz for the premiership.
Tibi said that JAL would not back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of racism and incitement against the Arab Israelis.
He also fumed against Netanyahu's recent efforts to court Arab voters, saying that those were aimed at cutting into the Joint List's base or suppressing turnout.
Tibi touted his own long legislative record as well as the party's lawmaking activities in the Knesset, saying, "We are the most socially active members of the Knesset, more than 90% of our activity is in social, economical, internal issues for our community and for universal motions," he said.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
Commenting on the party's recent vote against ratifying the historic US-brokered Abraham Accords, Tibi said the move was taken with the Palestinian issue in mind.
"When I heard Benjamin Netanyahu speaking in the Knesset and saying that he is doing this in order to put aside the Palestinian issue, we voted against it. We want the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to be solved by ending the occupation," he added.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
