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Israel’s left to pay price for ignoring Arab voters

The merger between Labor-Gesher and Meretz created a new list that doesn't include even a single Arab candidate for the March Knesset elections.
A Labour party election banner depicting party leader Amir Peretz and writing in Arabic reading "industrial areas in all Arab and Druze cities" is seen next to another election banner depicting Issawi Frej, an Arab politician in the left-wing Meretz party with Arabic writing that reads "This time we will participate in government", in Tira, northern Israel September 5, 2019. Picture taken September 5, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1C5F38BCB0
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“Forever pure” — that was the banner raised by Beitar Jerusalem soccer club fans in 2013, following the announcement of then-owner Arcadi Gaydamak of his intent to bring two Muslim players into the group. Seven years have passed since and it seems that the banner has turned into the unacknowledged election slogan of Israel’s non-Arab parties, who submitted their lists Jan. 14-15 for the 23rd Knesset.

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