Zuadi: Women are more successfu;
Arab party saves space for women
Women candidates in Balad to be guaranteed one out of every three Knesset spots. Party cannot be called 'progressive' unless women are equal, female candidates say
The Arabic party, Balad, has decided to save one spot out of every three for a woman candidate. Given the party's small size in recent Knesset plenums, the decision is not expected to contribute a large number of new female MKs, but nonetheless is a decisive gesture.
During interviews with Ynet on Friday, Balad's seven female candidates said that the decision was a brave and bold move in Israeli society in general, and in the Arab sector, in particular.
Party platform
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The party, which describes itself as a 'democratic progressive national party for the Palestinian citizens of Israel,' cannot "appeal for equality from the state and at the same time leave women behind," said candidate Mahasen Rabus.
"Balad has a group of talented women and we have been told more than once by other parties that 'if we had talented women like you do, we would save spots for them,'" said party chairman Jamal Zahalka.
According to Zahalka, "Balad is an innovative party. Just as we initiated the idea of a nation of all its citizens and the idea of cultural autonomy (for the Arab sector)… we will now be the party with the highest parliamentary representation by females."
The idea of promoting women MKs in Balad was first put on the table two years ago and created a great deal of controversy, Rabus said.
"Arab society is still not ready to initiate voting for women on its own, and thus it's important at this point in time to save spots for women… We're no different than western nations in this sense. This was also done in Europe," she said.
Praise for Bishara
Rabus also praised former Balad chairman, Azmi Bishara – who is currently residing outside of Israel following accusations of political misconduct against him – for introducing the initiative.Bishara is "one of those rare leaders who understood that, if our party is appealing for equality, it must grant equality to women. If such a step had not been taken, I would not have remained in the movement," she said.
"It's not a secret that Balad's platform has attracted more young voters and more women than other parties. This is because it’s the first party to give attention to these sectors," said Hanin Zuabi, another candidate.
"I believe that a feminist outlook includes our national and political commitment," she said, adding that "when I look at women and men in the same role, the women are more successful. A woman prime minister, if elected, would be more successful than a man. This is, of course, not taking into account her agenda."
"I'm sure that if peace comes, it will arrive only via women," said another of the female candidates.
