We're Confused: Who Is the Good Arab?
The article questions the definition of 'the good Arab' in Israel, noting that the term is racist according to a court ruling, and argues that after the recent elections, 'the good Arab' is one who does not vote, criticizing the double standards regarding Arab political participation.
The editorial asks what 'the good Arab' means in Israel, noting that the term is old and its most famous formulation is 'the good Arab is a dead Arab,' popularized by former Chief of Staff Rafael Eitan. It mentions that Judge Ronit Benish ruled in 2006 that the slogan is racist and must be eradicated. The article argues that after the recent election results, it seems 'the good Arab' is one who does not go out to vote, i.e., one who gives up their right to participate and influence. It criticizes the double standard: Arabs who do not vote are accused of extremism and disloyalty, but when they turn out in large numbers, they suddenly become a threat to democracy. It concludes that democracy is allowed as long as it does not change reality, but when the results are unsatisfactory, it becomes a suspicious means of seizing power. The article notes that the dispute over parliamentary participation was one of the reasons for the split of the Islamic Movement in 1996.