As the elections for the 23rd Knesset wrapped up, the Blue and White party began to prepare to take back their statements about the Joint Arab List. During the whole campaign, they claimed they would not sit with the Joint Arab List in a coalition and would not rely on their votes in order to form one. Everyone should know: we won't sit with Arabs.
Now that they have no choice, they're starting to prepare Jewish public opinion for the possibility of a minority government that would rely on votes of lawmakers from the Joint Arab List – at least some of them. Members of the Joint Arab List, as well as their voters perhaps, may have to be prepared themselves for such a scenario.
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The Joint Arab List has learned from the previous election campaigns. It now holds an unprecedented achievement of 15 Knesset seats, and it would be a mistake to think they are in anyone's pocket. It's also somewhat impudent to think it's possible to split the party into smaller components and say: we want your vote in parliament, but not your friends'. Even though the mutual goal of both sides – blocking PM Netanyahu from forming the next government – is near, a recommendation for Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is not a sure thing.
For many in the Arab sector, the difference between Netanyahu and Gantz is that the former is candid, the latter less. Netanyahu uses every opportunity to attack the Joint Arab List. It's not accepted or liked by many in the Arab sector, but at least it's in the open. Gantz, in comparison, is artificial. He follows Netanyahu's lead in the campaign, is scared of being seen as an "Arab sympathizer", and his party is full of contradictions.
His addressing the Arab public does not come from a real place of reconciliation and integration, it's only as a last resort, a bitter pill that must be swallowed in order to take over the leadership. They'll vote with us once, and that's it - as Yair Lapid explained on Tuesday. This is not the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Seeing as how this is the case, and despite the criticism, quite a few Arab citizens actually prefer Netanyahu over Gantz. He wears his difficult stance on his sleeve. He declares he doesn't want or need the support of the Joint Arab List, he fights against the ideology of the Joint Arab List and its leaders. At the same time, Gantz attacks the Joint Arab List in the media, declares he won't cooperate with it, votes to disqualify some of its members – yet the day after the elections sends his people to ask for their support.
Gantz and the leaders of Blue and White, if one can use Ayman Odeh's language, treat the Joint Arab List like a "mistress". A lover of sorts. In Arab culture, this means the relationship is secret, no one can talk about it or find out.
This didn't exist even during the Rabin government. A moment before they meet to discuss, they reassure the Jewish public that it's a "one-off." This is a lack of leadership. Not only will it be engraved in the memory of Arab voters – it will also strengthen the thesis promoted by Balad, that there is no major difference between Gantz and Netanyahu.
The Arab public is yearning for a leader who will make history, who will address Arab Israelis eye to eye, as equals and partners. A leader that will declare that Arabs are an integral part of the state, and that he is fine with representatives of the Arab parties being in the coalition. Benny Gantz has yet to display such leadership.
Whether they recommend him or not - one thing is clear: Just as Gantz is not cooperating with the Joint Arab List out of a real desire to turn over a new leaf in the relationship - especially with Balad lawmakers - and take a historical step, the same can be said for the Joint Arab List, if it recommends Gantz. They will not be doing it out of mountains of love for Blue and White, but out of necessity, and the desire to topple Netanyahu.
