Hadash-Ta'al chairman MK Ahmed Tibi addressed the political scenario after the elections on the "Meet the Press" program this evening (Saturday), and outlined the moves that the Arab parties will advance if the government's opponents have a majority in the Knesset - even without agreements on forming a government.
Tibi rejected the claim that the strengthening of the Arab parties makes it difficult for the Change Bloc to reach a majority. "We united three parties, re-established the Joint List. I would have preferred four parties on the Joint List," he said. "But there are two lists, the Joint List and Ra'am. We also united, we also made a surplus agreement, and there is also an increase in the expected voting rate in Arab society. Today we stand at 60% voting rate.".
He pointed out the weak point among the opposition parties: "Look at what's happening in the Change Bloc - they're bickering. They don't agree on who will be the candidate for prime minister. So the problem is the Jews, not the Arabs.".
He added, without mentioning the polls that predict a victory for the Netanyahu bloc: "There are polls that say it's 54, 52, 53, 54. This means that without a strong joint list, without both lists, it is impossible to change this terrible reality.".
When asked what would happen in the Knesset if after the elections a majority is not formed to form a government without the Arab parties, Tibi clarified: "I did not say that I want to be prime minister, the joint government does not demand that. There are all kinds of things, from a range of steps, immediately after the elections, that could change reality.".
One of the steps Tibi indicated is replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. "Do you think we will vote for Amir Ohana? Who turned the Knesset into a Kahanist market? We will support the opposing candidate, opposite, for Knesset Speaker.".
Tibi emphasized that, from his perspective, the election of a Knesset Speaker immediately after the elections could have broad political significance. "You know what the election of a Knesset Speaker immediately after the elections means," the Joint List MK hinted. "The story is over. This is complete control of the Knesset.".
The significance of the move is that the parties opposing the current bloc will be able to try to form a parliamentary majority as soon as the new Knesset is established, even before a government is formed. The Speaker of the Knesset holds significant powers in managing the work of the plenary, setting the agenda, and promoting measures in the Knesset.
The possibility of recommending a candidate for prime minister to the president was also raised in the interview.
When asked if the Arab parties would do this, Tibi replied: "We, in my opinion, will do more than that." He mentioned that the move had already been made in the past: "We already did this, a recommendation – and look what Gantz did with our recommendation.".
The Likud Party responded: "Media bombshell - Ahmed Tibi reveals tonight the plan of Eisenkot, Lieberman and Yair Golan to form a left-wing government with the Arab parties and says, 'Without the Arab parties, it is impossible to change the government, we will change the Knesset Speaker immediately after the elections.'".
""Vote for Eisenkot and Lieberman, and the keys to the state are in the hands of Ahmed Tibi and Mansour Abbas.".
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana: "Knesset Member Tibi is angry because for the first time in many years, he did not get to serve as Deputy Speaker of the Knesset.
""Therefore, tonight he revealed his and Eisenkot's plan for the day after the elections: to replace me with a leftist candidate, on the way to their government together.".
""The Israeli public received further proof tonight that Eisenkot will form a minority government with the support of the Arab parties - if he can. It is up to you to prevent this."
