The photos from Nazareth of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu standing alongside Mayor Ali Salem as he courted Arab voters Jan. 13 document a key moment in the 2021 elections.

As usual, Netanyahu hogged the agenda. He arrived with the full trappings of his high office in Israel’s largest Arab city, accompanied by a long convoy of cars and dozens of Shin Bet security agents. The highly unusual visit was carefully scripted in the best marketing tradition. Netanyahu’s “Nazareth speech,” as he dubbed it himself, was designed to signal a new era in his relationship with Israel's 21% Arab minority and create momentum for his fourth reelection bid in less than two years. His lines were at once cynical and historic. The man who repeatedly incited against the Arab population, questioned their loyalty to the state and warned about their electoral power was now standing before them asking for their support.

His speech was replete with promises of budgets and plans to eradicate the rampant crime plaguing Arab towns and villages, but it also included rhetoric about hope and co-existence. Simply put, Netanyahu had come courting with a barrage of hugs and kisses for Arab-Israeli society. “When I fight for the security of the state, standing alone to confront Iran, I am defending all the citizens of Israel without exception, Jews and Arabs, Muslims and Christians, Druze, Bedouin and Circassians. When I bring millions of vaccines, I save the lives of all the citizens of Israel, without exception.”

Salem was clearly awed. “No one has done what the prime minister has done,” he said. “We have never had it as good as we have now. If you had not dealt with the corona,” he said, turning to his guest, “I don’t know what we would have done. You look out for all the residents. And in the middle of this mess, you make peace, and peace is a good thing. I promise you we will support you so that you can continue giving.”