| United Arab List | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Ibrahim Sarsur |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Ideology | Israeli Arab interest, Islamism[1] |
| Seats in Knesset | 3 |
| Politics of Israel Political parties Elections |
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The United Arab List (Arabic: ألقائمة العربية الموحدة, al-Qā'ima al-'Arabiyya al-Muwaḥḥada; Hebrew: רשימה ערבית מאוחדת, Reshima Aravit Me'uhedet), commonly known in Israel by its Hebrew acronym Ra'am (Hebrew: רע"ם), is a political party representing and supported by Israeli Arabs. It is not related to the original United Arab List which existed in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
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History
The party was established prior to the 1996 elections, and was joined in an electoral alliance by the Arab Democratic Party (which held two seats in the outgoing parliament) and the southern faction of the Islamic Movement. The party initially went under the title of Mada-Ra'am, Mada being the acronym and common name for the Arab Democratic Party. In the elections, the party won four seats. During the Knesset term, the Arab Democratic Party became a faction within the United Arab List, and its name was dropped from the party title.
The next elections saw the party increase its share of the vote and pick up five seats. However, internal disagreements saw three MKs leave; Muhamad Kanan and Tawfik Khatib left and established the Arab National Party, whilst Hashem Mahameed formed the National Unity – National Progressive Alliance party. In the 2003 elections the party's support dropped by more than a third, with the party only just crossing the electoral threshold of 2%, and winning only two seats.
For the 2006 elections the party entered an alliance with Ahmad Tibi's Ta'al party. Running together, the alliance won four seats, three of which were taken by the United Arab List. The partys' alliance was maintained for the 2009 elections, which initially saw the Israeli Central Elections Committee ban the party from participating,[2] but this was overturned by the Supreme Court of Israel.[3] In the elections, the alliance again won four seats.
Ideology and support
The party supports the creation of a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital; and a solution of two states - one Jewish and one Palestinian — for the conflict in the region.
Its constituency consists mostly of religious or nationalist Israeli Arabs, and enjoys particular popularity among the Bedouin - in the 2009 elections, 80% of residents of Bedouin communities voted for party.[4] The Islamic Movement also operates in poor Arab towns and villages, as well as in Bedouin settlements, to mobilize voters. The southern faction of the Islamic Movement is now the dominant force in the party, whilst other factions include the Arab National Party.
Knesset membership
Current Knesset members
- Ibrahim Sarsur (since 2006)
- Taleb el-Sana (since 1996)
- Masud Ghnaim (since 2009)
Former Knesset members
- Abdulmalik Dehamshe (1996-2006)
- Muhamad Kanan (1999-2001)
- Tawfik Khatib (1996-2001)
- Hashem Mahameed (1999-2002)
See also
References
- ^ Israel: Background and Relations with the United States Congressional Research Service
- ^ Israel bans Arab parties from running in upcoming elections Haaretz, 12 January 2009
- ^ Hadash praises verdict on Arab parties Ynetnews, 29 January 2009
- ^ HOW THEY VOTED: See Israel election results by city/sector Haaretz, 17 February 2009
External links
- Islamic Movement (Arabic)
- United Arab List Knesset website
- Mada-Ra'am Knesset website
- Ra'am-Ta'al Knesset website
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