Aliza Bloch: "With Arab citizens, yes; with terror supporters, no"
After stating that she does not rule out sitting with Arab representatives and subsequently ruling out a partnership with Ra'am, Aliza Bloch explains her red lines, addresses the polls, and defends the new alliance of Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein.
On Monday, Dr. Aliza Bloch told Channel 12 News that she does not rule out sitting with Arab representatives in a future government. Hours later, in an interview with Channel 13 News, Bloch ruled out sitting with Ra'am. Bloch, who is running with the Unity Party led by Gilad Erdan and Yuli Edelstein, spoke with Anat Davidov and Gideon Oko on 103fm radio to explain the distinction between her statements.
"There is a place for everyone. Arabs make up 20% of the population of the State of Israel and are part of our story. I have never said that I am against Arabs; there are citizens who need to receive services and be part of the state," explained Bloch. "Ignoring the challenges within Arab society is part of Israel's problems. I make a distinction between Arabs as citizens, whom one should support, and Arab parties that support terror."
"Anyone who supports Hamas, anyone who does not condemn terror, cannot make decisions to send my son to serve in the army. It is impossible that my child, who is fighting in Gaza and Lebanon, would be sent to a place where a party that supports terror sits. That is the story."
According to the candidate, if an Arab party emerges in Israel that wants to be part of the Zionist partnership, take responsibility, and act with statesmanship, she would welcome it. However, parties that openly support terror represent a red line that, after October 7th, is not up for discussion.
Bloch was not moved by recent polls suggesting the new party might not pass the electoral threshold: "We have only been in this process for two days," she said. "We set out on this path with the hope of creating unity and demonstrating that it is possible to be both an Israeli state and a Jewish state—and one does not have to choose."
"The Unity Party is our name, goal, challenge, and mission," she explained. Regarding her colleagues, she noted: "We have a union here of someone who served as a minister and ambassador, and someone who was a Prisoner of Zion and chairman of the Security Committee. We bring a complex history because we want unity. I believe part of our role is to help the public reach this place. Everyone wants it, and everyone feels it."
