How the Joint List has already made history in Israel

posted on: Mar 16, 2015

The fact that the Joint List is likely to be the third largest slate in the next Knesset means they cannot be ignored. All the Israeli papers, analysts and news broadcasters are suddenly forced to relate to “the Arabs” — the 20 percent of the population that are normally out of sight and mind when Israelis goes to the polls.

It was both groundbreaking and satisfying to see Joint List chair Ayman Odeh’s face alongside those of Netanyahu, Bennett, Herzog and Liberman on the Friday evening news. It may not seem like a big deal, but this alone is a game changer.

The very fact that mainstream Israel is forced to look at and hear an Arab politician on “their” television channel is unprecedented, and a much-deserved slap in the face to all the right-wing party leaders who have at best ignored and at worst directly incited against Palestinian citizens of this country. Never mind the fact that almost all the media outlets refer to the Joint List incorrectly as “the United Arab List,” the “Joint Arabs List” or just “the Arabs.” In truth, the very fact that they must now mention them at all is significant.

Source: 972mag.com