Israeli-Arab accountant Isawi Farij from the city of Kafr Kasim in the triangle
will compete for a spot on the Meretz list in the upcoming elections, the party
announced Tuesday.
Farij will run for one of the top five spots on the
party list in the upcoming primaries, the party said, adding that following a
vote by the Meretz general committee Monday night to cancel the assured spot for
an Arab candidate in the 7th spot on the party list.
The party said the
decision was made because the party has failed to reach that many seats in
recent elections.
In the statement Tuesday announcing Farij's candidacy,
Meretz chairwoman Zehava Gal-On called on the Arab public to lend their votes to
the left-wing, saying they could help be a counterweight to the right-wing in
the upcoming elections.
In the party’s announcement Tuesday, Farij said
he believes its important for Arab-Israelis to no longer pursue representation
only through the Arab parties, and said he believes Meretz is “the only party
through which the Arab sector can have a real place,” adding that he “won't just
be someone who says the right things, I will work towards practical
collaboration in advancing public policy in Israel.
