Odeh to meet Netanyahu in first 'working meeting' to address 'discrimination'
The Joint List chairman said he would appeal for an equal allocation of funds, more access to education, and a larger budget for Arab municipalities
Ayman Odeh, head of the Joint Arab List(photo credit: REUTERS)ByARIEL BEN SOLOMON, GIL STERN STERN HOFFMANJoint List head Ayman Odeh (Hadash) is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since the election, at 3 p.m. on Thursday in the Prime Minister’s Office.The prime minister initiated the meeting, the Joint List said.“For me, this will be a working meeting – not a public relations meeting,” said Odeh. “I carry a great responsibility as the representative of a national minority and a very broad citizenry, living in the reality of institutionalized discrimination.”The Joint List chairman said he would appeal for an equal allocation of funds, more access to education and a larger budget for Arab municipalities.He also said he would demand a reform in planning for Arab communities, which would help solve the painful issue of demolitions of homes built without authorization.Odeh continued, “The government of Israel cannot continue the policy of perpetuating the occupation and the denial of the principle of establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel.”On Wednesday, Netanyahu briefed Zionist Union chairman Isaac Herzog, fulfilling the legal requirement to regularly brief the head of the opposition, for the first time since the March 17 election.The prime minister’s military secretary and the head of the National Security Council participated in the meeting at Netanyahu’s official residence, which lasted an hour.Sources in the Zionist Union stressed that political issues were not discussed, despite Netanyahu’s desire to add Herzog to his cabinet.RECOMMENDED STORIESIDF targets Houthi military chief, one killed and at least 14 wounded in northern IsraelJUNE 14, 2025IDF says aircraft operating in heart of Tehran, denies claim Iran shot down fighter jetJUNE 14, 2025Tehran under fire: IDF continues strikes in Iran, focusing on the capital – what was hit?JUNE 14, 2025The road to Tehran has been paved: IDF secures air route for stronger strikes on IranJUNE 14, 2025