Somaya Bashir's Candidacy: A Push for Arab-Jewish Partnership in Israeli Politics

Somaya Bashir, an Arab-Israeli activist and psychologist from the northern village of Jatt, has announced her candidacy in the primaries for the left-wing Democrats party. This marks her as the first potential Arab candidate for the party, aiming to advocate for issues facing the Arab community and promote Arab-Jewish partnership. Bashir, who has established several non-profits including “We Have No Other Land” and has been a leader in the non-profit Women Wage Peace, expressed her decision to enter politics after witnessing a lack of change in her community. “I haven’t seen any change, so I decided to do it. If I don’t, nobody else will,” she stated, highlighting the urgent need for action amidst rising crime and violence in Arab towns.

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Bashir's candidacy comes at a time when Arab representation in majority-Jewish parties is limited. Currently, only Druze Arabs serve as members of Knesset (MKs) in these parties. Bashir aims to change this dynamic, arguing that meaningful influence cannot be achieved from outside the government. She has criticized the four Arab-majority parties—Hadash, Ra’am, Ta’al, and Balad—for their inability to integrate Arab citizens into the broader societal framework and for not advancing significant change.

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The left-wing party, led by Yair Golan, has been noted by Bashir as the only party actively engaging with Arab society, especially following the merger of the Labor Party and Meretz. Golan has indicated that the party will demand the public security portfolio in any future government, emphasizing its commitment to partnership. Bashir's stance reflects a growing sentiment among the Arab public, as polls indicate a desire for increased participation in government, contrasting with the current political landscape where leaders from both the coalition and opposition have rejected reliance on Arab parties.

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Bashir has expressed pride in the Arab parties but believes they have not effectively facilitated integration into Israeli society. She argues that the recent agreement among the Arab parties to work towards a Joint List is insufficient for achieving real influence. “That is no way to influence or have power. You need to be part of the system,” she asserted, underscoring her belief that true change requires active participation within the political framework.

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• “The Arab community is burning, and nobody is doing anything,” — Somaya Bashir, Activist

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• “If I don’t, nobody else will,” she said.” — Somaya Bashir, Activist

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• “You need to be part of the system,” she said.” — Somaya Bashir, Activist

Times of Israel

Somaya Bashir's candidacy represents a significant step towards increasing Arab representation in Israeli politics and fostering Arab-Jewish partnerships. Her commitment to addressing the pressing issues within the Arab community and her critique of existing political strategies highlight the complexities of navigating the Israeli political landscape. As she embarks on this journey, her efforts may resonate with a growing desire among Arab citizens for meaningful participation and influence in governance.

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