The Joint List sharply condemned what it called an attempt by Shin Bet chief David Zini to open investigations against Arab elected officials, according to reports. The alliance of Arab-majority parties sees the move as part of an incitement and delegitimization campaign led by Likud against the Arab public, its vote, and its political representation.
“Netanyahu is clinging to power and trying to strip legitimacy from the Arab public that voted en masse and decided against his government,” the Joint List said in a statement. “Zini, who Netanyahu appointed, is acting as a political arm in his service. We will not allow Netanyahu and Zini to turn the votes of hundreds of thousands of Arab citizens into a security threat and their elected representatives into suspects. The Arab public does not need approval from Netanyahu or the Shin Bet chief to influence its political future.”
The statement concluded: “The Arab public has spoken at the ballot box. No threats, investigations, or intimidation campaign will silence us or strip our political representation of legitimacy. We will stand on our full right to influence and decide, and we will work to replace Netanyahu’s government.”