The Joint List has shut the door on attempts by Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc to work with some Arab MKs while excluding Balad, the most extreme faction within the Arab party.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kan News reported that the "change bloc" was planning to bypass Balad entirely, at least for now, in any coordination with Arab lawmakers. The strategy was to "legitimise" the less radical elements of the Joint List in the eyes of the public, while keeping Balad, known for its anti-Israel positions, at arm's length.
The opposition is not necessarily planning a minority government backed by Arab parties. But the left will need Arab votes for a range of moves, including replacing the Knesset speaker and advancing legislation against the current government.
On Tuesday evening, the Joint List explained that any arrangement is impossible without direct talks with Balad.
It stated: "Our decisions are made together. No one can divide us. Contrary to the impression created by media reports, the Joint List operates in full coordination among all its components. Our decisions are made together, out of responsibility to the public that elected us and out of respect for its political will."
"Balad is an inseparable part of the Joint List. We will not agree to exclude it or conduct political moves behind its back. Our decisions are independent, and we do not accept dictates or conditions from outside forces."
"We have 11 mandates, and we are determined to act together to replace the government of Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Our word is our word."
The statement complicates Eisenkot's efforts to advance moves with Arab support against Netanyahu's Jewish-majority government.
