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Al-Shabaka Roundtable September 2019

SHOULD PALESTINIAN CITIZENS OF THE ELECTIONS?: AN AL-SHABAKA DEBATE By Nijmeh Ali and Yara Hawari

Overview ensure that suitable political ground is created, as the act of rejection without constructing a solid alternative Palestinian citizens of Israel earlier this year organized establishes a political passivity that is dangerous for a a campaign to boycott the April elections. colonized, occupied, and oppressed people. Under the banner of the “Popular Campaign for the

[email protected] Boycott of the Zionist Elections,” the campaign called For instance, boycotting the elections could result in on Palestinians to refuse participation in the Israeli the dwindling of the Arab parties, which would lead to general elections so as not to recognize the Knesset as a a leadership vacuum. Despite criticism and frustrations, legitimate entity. parties still operate as the main organizing mechanism for political, social, civil, and national issues. Weakened As a result – and also due to disillusionment with parties would likely lead to the strengthening of the Arab , which had split from four united familial and sectarian communities and their political parties into two competing pairings – Palestinian voter organizing mechanisms, such as the hamula (clan) and turnout dropped below 50 percent. (Such turnout had mukhtars (elders). These mechanisms have historically been, for instance, 63 percent in 2015). In the run-up been vulnerable to co-optation by the Israeli regime to the September 17 elections, the Joint List has again and encourage fragmentation. fused, with the hope for a larger Palestinian turnout. Whether the move succeeds remains to be seen, but The leadership vacuum could also be filled by for those who advocate for a boycott of the elections, Palestinians who operate within Zionist parties. These the status of the Joint List has little bearing on the figures, who have been active since 1948, polish Israel’s argument for non-participation. democratic image without presenting challenges to it. With the state’s support they would be poised to take On the occasion of the imminent elections, Al-Shabaka on more prominence: 16.8% of Palestinians already is recirculating this roundtable debate, first published in voted for Zionist parties in the last elections – the www.Al-Shabaka.org April 2019, in which Al-Shabaka Policy Analyst Nijmeh lowest percentage since 1948. Ali and Al-Shabaka Palestine Policy Fellow Yara Hawari argue against and for boycotting Knesset elections, The elections are therefore not simply an electoral respectively. battle, but one over Palestinian representation more broadly. With the strengthening of familial and What do Palestinian citizens of Israel gain sectarian mechanisms and the “Arab Zionist” model by participating in the Israeli elections? By of leadership likely results of a successful boycott, it is more important than ever for Palestinians to maintain boycotting them? electoral participation.

Nijmeh Ali: Participating in the elections allows Yara Hawari: Far from being a sign of apathy, Palestinians to organize themselves internally, conduct election are a political tool used to convey political debates, and lobby for their civic and national an electorate’s dissatisfaction and disaffection. Indeed, rights in Israel and beyond. Participation should not other colonized, oppressed, or marginalized groups be viewed as a position of principle, but rather as a have used abstention or casting blank ballots as an tactic to use until opportunities arise to adopt more expression of rejection. For instance, Sinn Fein – the far-reaching strategies. Essentially, Palestinians must largest republican party in Northern Ireland – takes 1 September 2019 part in the British elections but refuses to sit in the the creation of the Joint Arab list. Turnout in those British House of Commons or vote on any bills elections rose to 64%, with the vast majority (82%) in rejection of the centuries-old British claim of casting their ballots for the list. This history signals sovereignty over Northern Ireland. Black South Africans Palestinians’ embrace of the political process, which fighting for liberation from colonial apartheid also did should be capitalized on rather than stifled. not seek inclusion within the system, but rather sought to dismantle it and create a new, just, and fair one. In Further, the government of Prime Minister Yitzhak this way, they directed their energies toward a political Rabin was able to move the peace process alternative rather than “patching up” a broken system. in the 1990s because of Arab parties, which had five seats in the Knesset and helped maintain Rabin’s small Boycotting the Israeli Knesset elections follows a similar coalition of 58 seats, which needed the minimum of ideological stance in that it refuses the legitimacy of the 61 to pass any law. This example demonstrates how colonial political institution. It explains that the elections Palestinian citizens of Israel can use political power serve to bolster the image of Israel as a democracy, effectively when the circumstances allow it – either by while in fact at least 65 laws indirectly or directly bolstering or blocking a coalition’s influence. discriminate against and target Palestinians in all areas of life, including the Nakba Law, which allows the Israeli finance minister to reduce or withdraw funding from “Electoral rejection without any institution that marks Israeli Independence Day as a day of mourning. Moreover, Israeli electoral law does constructing a solid alternative not allow for the participation of those that question establishes a political passivity the Jewish character of the state of Israel, meaning that Knesset members cannot challenge Israel’s definition of that is dangerous for a being both Jewish and democratic. colonized, occupied, and How does the historical context of oppressed people.” Palestinian political participation inform your stance? The massive efforts of the right wing to marginalize

the Palestinians aims to prevent them from practicing Nijmeh Ali: Historically, Palestinian citizens of Israel this power. This was clear in 2014 when the Knesset have been willing to participate in the political process, voted to increase the electoral threshold to 3.25%, with even in moments of tension and alienation. From 1949 the aim of excluding small parties from the Knesset. to 1973, average voter turnout among Palestinians The Arabs’ response was the formation of the Arab in Israel was 86%, though this was mainly due to the Joint list, which was comprised of four small parties. military rule imposed on them between 1948 and 1966. Legal actions also continue to marginalize Arab parties, The dominant Israeli Labor Party, , maintained its including attempts to ban political lists and candidates hegemony for 30 years and controlled the Palestinian from election participation.1 vote by creating affiliated Arab lists headed by co-opted leaders who would guarantee the party virtually all Yara Hawari: The Palestinian citizens of Israel have Palestinian votes. always been a politically active community. In the 1950s and 1960s, voter turnout reached as high as 90%, with After the end of military rule and the events of Land the aim of making as many political gains as possible Day (March 30, 1976), Palestinians’ political awareness in the hope that full and equal citizenship could be increased, and the average voter turnout remained high achieved. In the 1990s the Abnaa al Balad movement at 72%. While voter turnout declined during the 1990s began organizing calls to boycott the Knesset elections and after the , it rose again in 2015 with in response to Israel’s military attacks in southern

1. The Central Elections Committee disqualified the Arab joint slate Balad- and , a member of political alliance -Ta’al, from running in the April 2019 elections. The decision was referred to the Supreme Court for approval. On March 17, 2019, the Supreme Court reversed the Central Elections Committee 2 decision. - September2019 affirm that Israel separation between separation between allows for discrimination allows The of passing in the nation-state law comments by Netanyahu comments by guarantee mass support can act when circumstances can act when circumstances “Palestinian citizens of“Palestinian Israel politically and on the ground.” politically and on the against non-Jews. against non-Jews. The also highlighted a failure of nation-state law the political representation of community the Palestinian a List failed to muster inside Israel. The Arab Joint ofSeveral strong response. Knesset the Palestinian work together as they did during the multi-parties era. work Hawari: Yara 2018 and the international Unlike alone. is a state for Jews by not shocked were many Palestinians community, as they simply comments, or Netanyahu’s the law confirmed what is already in place in order to appease and the the law the growing Israeli right. However, commentary that than ever about it did highlight more be considered equal citizens of will never Palestinians particularlythe state, while Israel’s citizenship and nationality reflects the political reality in Israel, which has seen has which Israel, reality in political the reflects the rise of ofand the inability the right Arab Joint the It is crucial this rise alone. List to counter reconsider to for structural and to push broad coalitions change in Israeli politics. public List did succeed in creating the Joint However, ofawareness the implications of as a as well the law Thousands of debate. significant political Palestinians in citizens took to the streets Jewish and progressive Palestinian various by led the law, to Aviv Tel Apartheid terminologypolitical leaders. is now in Israeli political debates at an consistently deployed Though of the dissolution institutional level. the Joint not surprising because it was disappointing List was constructedthe list was mainly for electoral reasons. The implications of obvious most its demise will be loss ofthe likely After the and Knesset seats. voters election, if and Balad- Arab lists (Hadash-Ta’al both to they are likely United Arab List) pass the threshold,

, and of that can deem plungeto only 18%

by admissions committees by The nation-state law embedded Jewish The embedded Jewish nation-state law The 2001 prime minister election saw The saw election prime minister 2001 2

well-used political tool.” well-used

“Far from being a sign of from “Far 2. Abnaa al Balad is a Palestinian political movement established by university students in the 1970s. The movement called for the end of The movement students in the 1970s. university established by the of political movement 2. Abnaa al Balad is a Palestinian the 1967 terri the return of and the establishment oftories, refugees, not be based on ethno-religious rights. that would Palestine’s one secular and democratic entity in historic Palestine for the Liberation of Front Abnaa al Balad is close to the Popular Palestine. Ideologically, legally, symbolically, and politically – turning the reality symbolically, legally, of segregated It also life into an official apartheid state. supremacy and Palestinian inferiority by defining inferiority by supremacy and Palestinian It does this through only. Israel as a state for Jews citizens non-Jewish citizens over Jewish privileging of List come into play? Joint the Arab Nijmeh Ali: How do recent events such as the passing do recentHow events of and the dissolution the nation-state law for non-Jewish equity. As a result its glass ceiling cannot equity. for non-Jewish within the currentbe broken political framework. and an ambassador, their cases are exceptions that their cases are exceptions and an ambassador, allow the Israeli system does not the rule. Thus, prove their ethnicity or religion “unsuitable.” And while some their ethnicity or religion “unsuitable.” Israeli senior positions in achieved have Palestinians including a judge on the Supreme Courtinstitutions, are also not permitted to buy property in most of the in certain from residing country prevented and are even communities Palestinian Arab areas, with many Palestinians resorting with many Palestinians Arab areas, Palestinian Arabs to building without “permission.” Palestinian frequently denied. In contrast, the Israeli governmentfrequently denied. In contrast, the neighborhoods is constantly building new Jewish-only of This has resulted in overcrowding and settlements. system. This particularly is through demonstrated or villages as no new Arab towns land and space, been built since 1948, and building permitshave are participation the Palestinian citizens ofparticipation the Palestinian not Israel have made any significant gains within the Israeli political Yet history that regardlessalso shows ofYet electoral Gaza Strip. Gaza Strip. whom were Israeli citizens, who were protesting in who were Israeli citizens, whom were Bank and in the West solidarity with demonstrators those, a third cast blank ballots. This response in was ballots. a third cast blank those, ofto the events Israeli soldiers 2000, when October 12 ofstreets, in the 13 Palestinians gunned down Lebanon. turnout voter Palestinian apathy, election boycotts are a are election boycotts apathy,

Al-Shabaka Roundtable 3 September2019 Recent political maneuvers in Israel do maneuvers political Recent “Boycotting the Knesset the Knesset “Boycotting Palestinian citizens ofPalestinian Israel.” role in discussions about new political models and they could radically this way, In leadership structures. the discourse on who and what contribute to changing across all for Palestinians the way paving is Palestine, geographies to unite and demand the fulfillment of their quest for self-determination and human rights. Yet boycotting the Knesset elections does not, boycotting Yet it must Rather, qualify as a strategy. on its own, be a tactic that is part of vision for the an overall citizens ofPalestinian Israel. Those to wanting political strategy help create a new Palestinian must harness to gained the momentum from boycotting political spaces outside of alternative develop Israeli to do this is for way One practical institutional politics. people to organize of meetings on the day the elections ofto discuss the revival strategy a collective and the steps needed to implement it. All of however, this, also be done in the largermust political context of the fragmented communities. people and their Palestinian citizens ofThe Palestinian reaffirm Israel must their asserting project for sovereignty, place in the Palestinian that they are part of the struggle and not simply an Their intimate experience with internal Israeli affair. a leading Israel places them in a strong position to take With economic and political mechanisms in place, place, in mechanisms and political economic With guarantee act when circumstances can Palestinians mass support the ground. and on politically Otherwise, fall into a trap of will Palestinians and passivity political chaos. Hawari: Yara they reaffirm anything new; rather, the state’s not reveal as a fifth column to sees Palestinians position, which ifbe tolerated only segregated, they remain ghettoized, been timelier for Palestinian It has never and passive. this structurecitizens to reject to demand that their and do so as well. political leadership part of for the vision an overall elections must be a tactic that is elections must Participation in the elections is a double- Participation and mobilize their masses, establishing links between establishing links between and mobilize their masses, the private between daily needs and national demands, and the political. the civil and between and the public, Palestinian citizens of citizens Palestinian romantic the aside set Israel must notion of (steadfastness) in order to politicize sumud plan, and regional and international support, change be considered carefully. must today. Leaving the Knesset cannot be done without Leaving today. In the context ofplanning. an exhausted society that a strategic political confidence in its leadership, lacks political system, such as voting, should also be a as voting, political system, such least in the short at to medium term. It would priority, be risky to demand a change in the political mechanism Maintaining political parties and engagement in the citizens of establishing an internal involve Israel should financial support system related to a strategic plan of protest. labor force – the greater impact of the their in will be targetedthe future (and the more racism they with). Thus change that can bolster the Palestinian of through their presence in Israel – the Palestinians and a core component of taxpayers, as consumers, the that can break the hierarchical relationship between relationship between that can break the hierarchical rearrange and master and slave the boundaries of the political game. The greater the strength and influence who is a producer at all levels, who is economically who is a producer at all levels, the bills everyindependent month without and pays This is the model relying on Israeli national insurance. to prove that it is a democracy, at least rhetorically. at least rhetorically. that it is a democracy, to prove what really threatens Israel is a Palestinian However, Nijmeh Ali: presence Israel uses its Palestinian edged sword. in the continuous and future and in the continuous struggle for liberation? Palestinian mobilization outside the Israeli system. mobilization outside have What or boycotting role does voting List dissolved, a reflection of a reflection List dissolved, an internal struggle of In this context, it is egos parties. the various within political pursue must that Palestinians clearer than ever to maintain their electoral mandate (similar to Sinn mandate (similar their electoral to maintain Earlier this year the Joint as discussed above). Fein, but they did not present a collective strategy. They strategy. collective did not present a but they to sit refused collectively example, for could have, to run but continued in the Knesset in the elections members boycotted the parliament for a short for a parliament the period, boycotted members Aviv, led the rally againstand others in Tel the law

Al-Shabaka Policy Brief 4 Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian Policy Network is Network Policy Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and human rights foster public debate on Palestinian and self-determination of within the framework be Al-Shabaka policy briefs may international law. reproduced with due attribution to Al-Shabaka, more For Network. Policy The Palestinian or contact information visit www.al-shabaka.org email: [email protected]. us by circulated with due be Al-Shabaka materials may Policy attribution to Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian The opinion ofNetwork. members of individual do not necessarily policy network Al-Shabaka’s reflect the views of the organization as a whole. is the Palestine Policy Fellow of Fellow Policy is the Palestine is a PhD candidate at the National is a PhD candidate at the National more widely within Indigenous Studies. completed her PhD in Middle East Politics at the Politics completed her PhD in Middle East ofUniversity focused on Her research Exeter. oral history framed projects and memory politics, Yara Hawari Yara She Network. Policy Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian people, with an emphasis on the tension between the tension between with an emphasis on people, citizenship and nationality in prolonged conflict. Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at Otago Centre for Peace focus is on the New Zealand. Her University, citizens ofPalestinian Israel as an indigenous Nijmeh Ali

Al-Shabaka Policy Brief 5