In Israel, a leading Arab member of parliament, Ahmad Tibi, has highlighted the growing challenges his community faces following the recent conflict in Gaza.
As per international media reports, Tibi, a veteran politician, displays framed photographs in his office with figures such as Yasser Arafat, Bill Clinton, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Prominently placed on his desk is an Arabic phrase, “The more beautiful days are those we did not yet live,” a message he finds crucial for his community as they navigate heightened scrutiny post the October 7 Hamas attack.
According to official figures, the October 7 attack led to 1,195 casualties in Israel, predominantly civilians. In response, Israeli military actions in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 37,765 people, mostly civilians, based on Gaza’s health ministry reports.
The Arab community, constituting around 20% of Israel’s population, has felt increasingly under siege. They report experiencing unfair policing and a surge in hate crimes. Tibi, who leads an Arab-majority party, told AFP, “Since October 7, hundreds of Arab citizens have been pursued by Israeli police for simply posting or sharing stories expressing empathy for Gaza’s children or opposing the war.” He described this period as particularly challenging for Palestinian citizens in Israel.
Adalah, an advocacy group for Arab rights in Israel, has accused authorities of unfairly targeting those showing solidarity with Gaza. Official data indicates that between October 7 and March 27, Israeli police detained 401 individuals, mostly Arabs, for what were deemed incitement-related speech offenses. Out of 667 suspects for such offenses during that period, 590 were Arabs, while only 13 were Jewish Israelis.
A report released after October 7 highlights, “The suppression of free speech has created an environment where Palestinian citizens are unable to protest or voice their opinions freely.”
Despite denouncing the targeting of civilians in the October 7 attacks, Tibi and other Arab Israelis have faced severe backlash. “We have consistently condemned attacks on civilians, whether in southern Israel or elsewhere,” Tibi stated. “At the same time, over 15,000 Palestinian children have died in Gaza.”
Some Arab students who faced disciplinary actions have been exonerated, yet instances of anti-Arab rhetoric and actions continue. For example, Jewish students at some schools have called for the removal of their Arab peers, and right-wing protesters have targeted businesses employing Arab workers.
Tibi claims that while Arabs face severe consequences for their speech, those promoting anti-Arab violence receive little to no repercussions. He personally lost 13 relatives in Gaza to Israeli airstrikes. “No one has been arrested for calling to deport or kill Arabs or destroy Gaza,” he remarked.
The Israeli government points to Arab representation in parliament, the judiciary, and other sectors as proof of integration. However, the 2018 law declaring Israel as the “nation-state of the Jewish people” has been contentious, exacerbating feelings of inequality among Arabs. Tibi argues that post-October 7, Israel operates more as an ethnocracy favoring Jews.
Tibi has also become a focal point of hostility from Jewish Israelis, receiving numerous threats. “In times of conflict, everyone becomes a target,” he explained, though he remains cautious rather than fearful.
He criticizes figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their harsh stances towards Arabs. Referring to Ben Gvir’s past, Tibi stated, “Under Israeli law, he is considered a terrorist for his involvement with a banned Jewish extremist group.”
Despite the challenges, Tibi maintains hope for Jewish-Arab cooperation. “I am both realistic and optimistic because we are on the right side of history,” he said. He believes that democracy is essential for ending the Gaza conflict and achieving a Palestinian state with full rights. “This is a natural right for Palestinians,” he asserted.
Addressing his community and their adversaries in Arabic, Tibi concluded with determination, “We face intimidation attempts, but we will stand against this wave of racism and fascism, just as we have before. We were here, and we will remain here.”
