Kaplan without Arabs: A government only for Jews

By: Muhammad Yahya, Attorney

At the end of the unbearable war in Gaza, the struggle to shape the identity of the democratic regime in the country, which is influenced by rapid social changes in Jewish and Arab society, is returning to the stage.

In the struggle against Kaplan's demonstrations in Tel Aviv, the absence or poor presence and participation of citizens from Arab society was conspicuous.

Even if Arab society feels a certain solidarity with the Kaplan protesters against the legal/regime coup, they simply do not feel connected and still rightly feel like bench players, not only in the Knesset, and they have no legitimacy to be part of the government as members or supporters outside of it, but also in the planning and messaging of the struggle, which has only worsened with the war.

The claim of a Jewish majority since the Rabin government in 1992 is still firmly entrenched in Israeli society.

A regime revolution, an internal Jewish debate, and Arab society watching from the sidelines. Watching each side want its support with applause and more numerical reinforcement, more support force, not at the forefront of the struggle.

Israeli society is not mature enough to recognize and accommodate a government that includes Arab ministerial members, but it does need those reinforcement players in the Kaplan demonstrations.

The events of October 7 and the ongoing war only added fuel to the fire of alienation and the rift became even greater. How will we mend the rift?

We are fighting for a selective democratic regime in the hope that it will later be for all its citizens, one that does not leave Arab citizens behind as bench players.

A struggle against a legal revolution is illegitimate without the principle and spirit of a state of all its citizens.

Every party and every responsible leader who sees themselves as an alternative to the government must declare the legitimate and even essential right to include Arab members in the government. From here will come the change and become part of the Israeli consciousness and shared life, otherwise alienation will grow and separatism may impose itself in all its flaws.

Kaplan without Arabs. A government only for Jews.

And there is no Messiah for the Israelites.

Messiah is not coming. Nor is he calling.

All its citizens have pledged their flag for true Arab-Jewish partnership in everyday life and in representation in all state institutions. Democratic for all its citizens. With all the faith and determination that this is the natural and correct path for the future of all citizens.

Muhammad Yahya, Attorney

The party of all its citizens