“There are elements within the [Zionist] opposition trying to sabotage the possibility of forming a Joint List,” said MK Ahmad Tibi (Hadash-Ta’al) in an interview with journalist Nir Gontarz, published this weekend, April 24, in the Haaretz weekly supplement. “We are trying to run as a Joint List, all four parties. This is the best, most efficient and effective way to remove the Netanyahu-Smotrich-Ben Gvir government, and because 90% of our public demands unity,” Tibi explained.

Hadash-Ta’al lawmakers Ahmad Tibi and Ofer Cassif during a tour held with dozen diplomats to the neighborhood of Silwan in occupied East Jerusalem to show them firsthand the demolition of Palestinian homes, Thursday, April 23, 2026 (Photo: Zo Haderekh)

He added, “A document has already been signed in Sakhnin by the four party leaders agreeing to establish a Joint List. We met once and again two weeks ago. There are arguments, agreements, and disagreements. I believe the central issue at hand, which carries historical significance, is to oust this government. If any of us causes this attempt to fail, they will bear historical responsibility.”

“Who? Tell us who? We need to know. This is the future of us all. Who is opposing the formation of the Joint List?” Gontarz asked. Tibi replied: “These senior figures say, ‘We don’t want the Arabs to reach 15, 16, or 17 seats. 10 is enough.’ They want to manage us paternalistically. They tell us, ‘Don’t go out [to vote] in droves.’ Do you understand the grotesqueness? I loathe racists, but I despise condescending paternalists. I am telling them publicly now: Enough! Not only are you publicly saying you don’t want Arabs in the next coalition and don’t want to cooperate with Arab parties, but you are also trying to sabotage the possibility of it being formed.”

Regarding the possibility of the Joint List breaking up after the elections, Tibi added: “I want to clarify this point, as it’s an important question. These are four dissimilar parties with different emphases. If someone wants to withdraw, split, join a coalition, or go to the beach after the elections—they are entitled to and can do so.”

“Who is the most problematic element among the four of you right now? After all, there isn’t really a Joint List yet. There are still disagreements,” Tibi was further asked. He replied: “We haven’t reached the issue of distribution yet—who will lead, how many seats. We aren’t at the ‘ego’ stage yet. Listen, we established a Joint List in 2015. Back then, too, people said ‘ego’ and ‘they won’t agree.'”

Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=33406