In a significant political development, Israel’s four primary Palestinian political factions have reached a groundbreaking agreement to reunite under the Joint List alliance for the upcoming parliamentary elections. The landmark decision emerged Thursday following intense public pressure and widespread protests against escalating gun violence in Palestinian communities.
The party leaders – Sami Abu Shehadeh (Balad), Ayman Odeh (Hadash), Ahmad Tibi (Ta’al), and Mansour Abbas (Ra’am) – formalized their commitment through the signing of the ‘Joint List Now’ declaration in Sakhnin, where mass demonstrations had been ongoing. This reconciliation marks a pivotal moment in Arab-Israeli politics, resurrecting an alliance that previously dissolved in 2021 when Ra’am departed to pursue independent political partnerships.
The reunification movement gained momentum amid dual crises: the ongoing Gaza conflict and record-breaking criminal violence within Palestinian communities. According to the Abraham Initiatives NGO, 2025 represented the most lethal year on record for Palestinian citizens of Israel, with 252 fatalities from criminal incidents surpassing 2024’s 230 deaths.
Current polling indicates a reunited Joint List could emerge as Israel’s third-largest parliamentary bloc if elections occur by October as anticipated. The agreement materialized during coordination meetings addressing expanding protest actions against gun violence and allegations of state complicity in organized crime.
While a party spokesperson characterized the agreement as somewhat coerced by public pressure, Balad leader Abu Shehadeh celebrated the development as restoring ‘hope and spirit to our people everywhere.’ The signed pledge establishes a framework for renewed cooperation, though specific electoral details remain subject to further negotiation.