An alliance of predominantly Arab parties in Israel has signaled its willingness to help oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right and religious coalition following the country's parliamentary elections, according to dpa. Yousef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, said Wednesday that Netanyahu's government had made life unbearable for Arab citizens. "The government of Netanyahu and [far-right National Security Minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir has made life hell for every Arab citizen," Jabareen said. He described the support for Arab parties in Tuesday's elections as "historic." With most votes counted, the Joint List and the conservative Islamist Ra'am party were projected to win a combined 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The Arab parties could play a decisive role in determining the next government, as neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition camp led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot is expected to secure a majority. "We will know how to leverage our political strength to advance the values we believe in," Jabareen said. He added that his party was prepared to "pave the way for ousting the government of Netanyahu, Ben Gvir and Smotrich, and send them home." Arab citizens account for approximately one-fifth of Israel's population.
