This week, as the coalition fought for its survival and legislation hinged on a single vote, we received further proof of the power struggle and hatred within Arab politics, which is far more acute than in Israeli politics in general.
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Ra'am's first ultimatum to the coalition was in response to reported efforts by coalition representatives to secure a legislative security blanket from the Joint Arab List, specifically in relation to the national budget. From Ra'am's perspective, this could harm it a great deal in the eyes of the Arab public. For starters, Ra'am has yet to accomplish anything of note. Furthermore, an agreement between the coalition and the Joint List to promote matters important to the Arab public could prove to Arab voters that Ra'am's path is incorrect and that being untethered to the government can be just as fruitful if not more.
The second ultimatum involved the government's immediate transfer of the Authority for Development and Settlement of the Bedouin in the Negev to the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services. This request, too, was accepted and approved by the government in a telephone vote within a matter of hours.
Ra'am's MKs view themselves, rightly so to an extent, as the kingmakers of this government, without whom the government would never have been established. Hence they flexed their muscles this week, sending two of the party's MKs to speak to the press. First, it was MK Waleed Taha, who announced Ra'am's ultimatum to the government, followed by MK Mazen Ghnaim, who stated in no uncertain terms that if the government attacks in Gaza, it would be toppled.
It's easier for the members of Ra'am, and perhaps for party chairman Mansour Abbas personally, to work and cooperate with the right-wing factions in the Knesset than with the Joint Arab List – especially with its chairman, Ayman Odeh. Indeed, the discord between the two has reached the point of personal hatred and bitterness.
Their rivalry, which has reached new lows in terms of their scathing criticism of one another, has spilled over into the Knesset. On one hand, Abbas is trying very hard to prove he is spearheading a different, integrative form of politics. On the other hand, Odeh is trying very hard to prove that Abbas' connection to the coalition makes him a fig leaf for a right-wing government, which in his opinion is perpetuating policies of discrimination toward Israel's Arab citizens.
The parliamentary work is a daily struggle, and every week the government will face numerous challenges. It benefits the Joint List that it isn't part of the oppositionist bloc, and can be called on to help the government. However, it appears Ra'am could topple the government if cooperation with the Joint List becomes too deep.
The Opposition won't allow itself to topple the government if there's any type of conflict with Hamas Hezbollah, and on security matters, it provided the government a security blanket. With that, the Joint Arab List won't join the Opposition in toppling the government and essentially crowning someone else from that camp.
The situation requires a re-examination of the system in Israel. It's unacceptable and untenable for an MK to be able to take down a government any time he is offended or wants a budget for a chess club.
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