Four major political parties representing Palestinian citizens of Israel have agreed to move toward reviving the Joint List ahead of the country’s next parliamentary elections, a development that follows sustained public pressure and one of the largest protest movements seen in Palestinian communities in recent years. The decision, announced on Thursday, came after days of strikes and demonstrations against gun violence, with party leaders signaling renewed commitment to political cooperation amid growing social and security concerns.
Revival of the Joint List Signals Renewed Political Unity Among Palestinian Citizens of Israel
The agreement was formalized in the northern city of Sakhnin, where leaders of the four parties signed a pledge titled “Joint List Now,” committing themselves to work toward running on a unified slate. The signatories included Sami Abu Shehadeh of the National Democratic Assembly (Balad), Ayman Odeh of the Hadash alliance, Ahmad Tibi of the Arab Movement for Change (Ta’al), and Mansour Abbas of the United Arab List (Ra’am). The move followed an open-ended strike and mass protests that began earlier in the week, actions that reflected long-standing demands from Palestinian citizens for political unity. The parties had first formed the Joint List in 2015, but the alliance fractured ahead of the 2021 elections after Ra’am left the bloc, a split that intensified internal debate and public frustration.
Protests Against Gun Violence Drive Momentum Ahead of Expected October Elections
The renewed push for unity unfolded against the backdrop of widespread demonstrations protesting rising crime in Palestinian-majority towns and alleged official inaction. According to the NGO Abraham Initiatives, 2025 has been the deadliest year on record for Palestinian citizens of Israel, with 252 people killed in criminal incidents, compared with 230 in 2024, and at least 19 deaths reported since the start of this year. The strike that began in Sakhnin on Tuesday quickly spread to several other towns, becoming one of the most significant protest movements in years. Party leaders met in Sakhnin on Thursday to discuss further action, and amid intense public scrutiny, they signed the pledge to revive cooperation.
A spokesperson for one of the parties later told The Times of Israel that Abbas and other leaders had been pushed into making a public commitment, while noting that such visibility would likely compel more serious negotiations. Abu Shehadeh, in comments reported by Arab48, welcomed the agreement, indicating that it had laid a foundation for cooperation and restored a sense of collective confidence. With Israel expected to hold elections by October at the latest, opinion polls suggest that a reunited Joint List could emerge as the third-largest bloc in the Knesset, underscoring the political significance of the agreement.