The Yesh Atid party, which is the largest partner in the coalition, opened an office in the Arab town of Mi’ilya Dec. 9. Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov, Deputy Minister for Public Security Yoav Segalovitz, Knesset member Inbar Bezek and the coordinator of the local office, Mazen Abed, all participated in the ceremony. 

A few months ago, the party launched an Arabic-language Facebook page geared toward Arab citizens. Last August, it opened an office in the Arab city of Sakhnin and later, a youth outreach office in Kafr Kana.

Social Equality Minister Meirav Cohen recently held a series of meetings with leaders of Arab localities to promote a five-year government plan to advance the Arab community. Economy Minister Orna Barbivai visited Al-Araz tahini factory in Nazareth and Sakhnin College. Welfare and Social Security Minister Meir Cohen visited with the organization Lasta Wahdak (You Are Not Alone) for the support and integration of people with disabilities in the Arab town of Kafr Qasim.

These moves by Yesh Atid were not trivial by any means. In fact, since its foundation in 2012 by current Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and its election to the Knesset in 2013, Yesh Atid has kept a clear distance from the Arab public. Everyone recalls the unfortunate statement by Lapid a few hours after he was elected to the Knesset for the first time. “I heard talk about a blocking majority — I want to take this off the table. We will not do that with the Haneen Zoabis — it is not going to happen,” Lapid said. Using the term “Zoabis,” Lapid alluded to the name of former Knesset member Haneen Zoabi of the Balad party, a controversial figure in Israeli politics. A few years later, he admitted he made a mistake with his expression. Moreover, contrary to other parties, Yesh Atid lacks any Arab representatives in the Knesset. No Arab candidate has been ranked at a realistic spot on the list.