Dr. Yosef Jabarin was recently elected to head the Hadash list in the Israeli parliament, Knesset, after many years in which MK Ayman Odeh served in the position. In his first interview, since the beginning of the election campaign with Zo Hadarekh, weekly journal of the Communist Party of Israel, Jabarin talks about the progress of the talks to establish the Joint List, the role of Hadash in Israeli politics, and the movement's message to the Jewish public.
How do you perceive Hadash's role in the Israeli political system, when the elections look like a contest between the right and the far right?
Hadash currently plays a unique and vital role in the Israeli political system. We are the only left-wing force that promotes true Jewish-Arab partnership – not just as a slogan, but as a real political path, in the Knesset and on the ground .
For over two and a half years of a criminal and bloody war, Hadash was the only political force in the Knesset that consistently opposed it, out of a commitment to the values ​​of peace, justice and human rights. While the various right-wing parties, as well as the centrist parties, compete among themselves over who will bypass the Netanyahu government from the right, Hadash continues to present a comprehensive political alternative to the disastrous policies led by Netanyahu, Smotrich and Ben Gvir: a policy of perpetual war, deepening the occupation, constant escalation and racist incitement .
We are the only political force in Israel that, on the one hand, denounces war crimes, and on the other hand, consistently carries hope and offers the public a clear alternative: a just peace and a two-state solution, an independent Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, living side by side in peace, security and equality, within the 1967 borders. I see this as our important role: to maintain a clear voice that offers a different horizon, a horizon of fundamental change, hope and a true Arab-Jewish partnership .
What are the advantages of establishing a joint list, and what are the obstacles to doing so?
The Joint List is our preferred political framework, and we are committed to working seriously and responsibly to re-establish it. This is also what the majority of the Arab public wants to see. In our view, a broad joint list is the best way to maximize the political power of the Arab public, increase our representation in the Knesset, and bring about the overthrow of the Netanyahu-Smotrich-Ben Gvir government. We want to send this dangerous government home .
The Arab public is currently under unprecedented attack. It is faced with rampant violence and crime, with manifestations of racism and incitement, with fascist forces that try to intimidate, silence and block political activity, as well as with dangerous violations of civil rights and alienation from state institutions. In such a time, the public expects to see a united and strong leadership that will know how to protect it like a wall and fight for its rights. This is one of the main advantages of the Joint List .
We wanted to establish a broad joint list based on an agreed-upon political platform shared by all four parties. When we realized that this was not feasible at this stage, we demonstrated public responsibility and political flexibility, and took a step that was in line with the public's will for a joint list. Therefore, we announced, together with Ta'al and Balad, that we were also ready to move forward in the format of a pluralistic-technical list, as requested by Ra'am. But in the negotiating rooms, Ra'am is adding more and more new demands, thereby making it more difficult to reach agreements. We believe that the main challenge now is to place the public's good above partisan considerations, and to build a list that can restore hope, increase voter turnout, and position the Arab public as a significant political force against the extreme right.
If the Joint List is not ultimately established, does Hadash have other options ?
We recently announced progress in establishing a joint framework with Ta'al and Balad, while the door to Ra'am remains open. At the same time, we are investing the utmost effort in establishing the quadrilateral joint, because we believe that this is the most appropriate move for the Arab public and for the entire democratic camp. The joint has proven in the past that when the public unites around a broad political framework, its power grows and its influence strengthens .
It is important to emphasize: Hadash will in any case operate within the broadest possible political framework, which will ensure strong, clear, and responsible representation for the Arab public and democratic Jewish circles. For us, the first priority is a full joint list, but if that is not possible, we will continue to promote as broad a unity as possible, together with everyone who is willing to bear public responsibility at this time .
Beyond the organizational structure or the name of the list, what is important to me is the political content and the ability to lead a real struggle against the extreme right-wing government. Hadash will continue to be the political force that offers a clear alternative to right-wing policies, war, occupation, racism and incitement, and will operate in any framework that will allow us to maximize the power of our public and its influence in the political arena .
The central question is how to restore hope to the public, how to increase voter turnout, and how to build a political force that can truly have an impact. Therefore, we will continue to work for the broadest joint list, but we will also know how to make responsible decisions if any of the components fail to meet this task.
What is Hadash's message to the Jewish public in the upcoming elections?
Hadash addresses the Jewish public with a clear vision: The struggle for democracy, peace, and equality is not a struggle of the Arab public alone, but a joint struggle of everyone who wants a different future in this place. We are fighting so that the state will be democratic, just, equal for everyone, for Arab citizens, for Jews, and peace-loving. I believe that this struggle has many partners in the Jewish public as well. Anyone looking for a partner in promoting democratic values ​​will find a true partner in Hadash .
Our message to the Jewish public is that the current reality of eternal war and life by the sword is not a decree of fate, and it is possible and necessary to choose differently. Our message to the Jewish public is that the current reality of eternal war and life by the sword is not a decree of fate, and it is possible and necessary to choose differently. The government of Netanyahu, Ben Gvir and Smotrich is working with each passing day to deepen the regional war, open additional fronts and prevent any political settlement, in a way that leads to continued escalation instead of calming it. Under the guise of war, Ben Gvir and Smotrich are talking openly about establishing settlements in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon, and about transfer. Most opposition parties are presenting a pale imitation of the same policy, or campaigns that are trying to bypass Netanyahu from the right.
We offer not only a political alternative, but also an economic-class alternative. In the shadow of the high cost of living, the concentration of capital in the hands of a small minority of people and companies, and the growing gap between the top 100,000 and the rest of the citizens, we promote a socio-economic agenda that benefits the disadvantaged. We work to reduce class gaps and strengthen welfare, education, and health services for all citizens.
We promise the public that we will do everything in our power to replace the current government. But the real task for us will only begin after we succeed in throwing the Kahanist government home. Then we will begin to work for the alternative we offer – peace, equality, democracy and social justice. Our answer is hope: a just peace, prosperity for all peoples in the region on the basis of an agreed solution of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and equality in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative. This is the only way to end the conflict and normalize relations in the region.
After decades of incitement and polarization, of conflict management policies and deepening occupation, and of the systematic narrowing of the democratic space, Israeli society needs more than ever political forces that have inscribed on their banner the struggle for true democracy, equality, and peace. This is our message to the Jewish public: The future of all of us does not lie in fear, wars, and incitement, but in a courageous Jewish-Arab partnership that offers a different path for both peoples and the entire region.
