A group of Israeli Arab politicians are seeking to establish a new party that would represent all members of their fragmented community in the upcoming general elections.
The group, which is made up of former and currently serving MKs, has proposed that Science, Culture and Sport Minister Ghaleb Majadele (Labor) head the party, which is to work for the welfare of Israeli Arabs.
Majadele's office has confirmed that prominent members of the Israeli Arab community have indeed proposed this to him. It said the minister would bring the matter to the Arab camp within Labor.
The MKs plan for the party to represent Israel's Arabic-speaking Muslims, Christians and Druze minorities.
MK Shachiv Shnaan (Labor) told Haaretz that that group had also asked him to join the new party, although he had not come to a decision yet.
"From a moral point of view, I must consult on this with all my supporters and with Druze religious leaders," he said. "In the meantime, I remain a member of the Labor party, [asI have been] for 27 years."
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