New Jewish-Arab Left-Wing Party to Run for Knesset

The left-wing bloc is continuing to split into smaller political factions, with the protest movement Standing Together announcing that it will run for the Knesset as a new Jewish-Arab party called Makom LeKulanu.

The party will be led by the movement’s two prominent figures, Arab feminist activist Rula Daood and veteran left-wing activist Alon-Lee Green. Together, they are expected to combine the movement’s two main messages: a diplomatic left-wing platform and an economic left-wing agenda.

The party’s first stated goal is to restore personal security in Arab communities. Its plan includes encouraging employment in Arab society, strengthening the police and turning it into a force capable of dismantling organized crime groups.

Its second major goal is advancing peace with the Palestinians. The party is calling for negotiations with the leadership of the Palestinian people, withdrawing the army from Gaza and Lebanon, and integrating Israel into the Middle East through diplomatic agreements, including frameworks such as the Arab League peace initiative.

On economic issues, the party is calling for free education from birth and a minimum wage of NIS 50 per hour. That demand reflects the effects of inflation, as the movement previously called for a NIS 40 hourly minimum wage. Israel’s current minimum wage is around NIS 35 per hour.

Politically, the new party appears to be positioning itself in territory currently occupied by Hadash. Disappointment with the current Arab party MKs has created demand among some voters for new leadership, new messaging and a change in political methods.

A source in the party told Srugim that at this stage the plan is to run independently, though possible alliances are not being ruled out.

An alliance with the Democrats may be difficult because of crowded internal primaries there. That could leave room for a possible merger with Hadash, particularly if Hadash runs separately from the broader Arab list or does not renew its previous arrangement with Ta’al.

The party’s entry adds another layer of fragmentation to the left-wing camp ahead of the election, at a time when several parties are competing for overlapping voters and trying to present themselves as the clearest alternative to the existing political order.