Leading Communist Party of Israel (CPI) activist, Mohammed Barakeh, the former MK and head of the Hadash front, was elected chairman of Israel’s Higher Arab Monitoring Committee on Saturday. The committee, the leading Arab-Palestinian political body in Israel, is an independent political organization tasked with coordinating the political activities of all organizations of this community in Israel. It comprises Arab Knesset members, local council heads and representatives of different streams in the Arab community.

Hadash Chairman, Mohammed Barakeh (Photo: Al Ittihad)

Barakeh ran against representatives from the Islamic Movement’s southern wing and nationalist Balad (the National Democratic Alliance), as well as an independent candidate. The vote was taken by the 53 members of the Central Committee, which represents all parties and movements, including those that aren’t represented in the Knesset.

Barakeh told Haaretz that he lauded the democratic and transparent process in which he was elected. “We are living in a reality in which there is no personal security and Arab blood is cheap, while the prime minister himself incites against the country’s Arab citizens and the Palestinian people,” he said.

“We will stand united against this government and hold out our hand, based on peace and coexistence,” Barakeh added. Joint List chairman head MK Ayman Odeh (Hadash) welcomed the election of Barakeh, saying, “This victory is a victory to the patriotic, leftist, and responsible line, especially given the current situation. I have no doubt he will lead the Monitoring Committee with a collective vision and genuine partnership with all components of the committee so that we can deal with the challenges facing our people.”