Arab List Disqualifications Fuel Election Turnout, Experts Say

A decision by the Central Elections Committee to disqualify several Arab lists and candidates has sparked widespread questions about its impact on Arab voter turnout. Social psychologist and director of the "Afkar" research company, Dr. Hisham Jubran, told i24NEWS that these disqualifications, while seemingly targeting Arab political representation, could paradoxically boost participation.

Jubran explained that the feeling of exclusion and injustice among Arab voters can act as a powerful psychological and collective motivator, driving them to rally and react politically. Arab parties can leverage this "electoral fuel" to transform widespread discontent into high turnout, thereby protecting their right to representation.

The report also noted a decline in the popularity of Zionist parties, particularly those associated with the "change bloc" like the Democratic Party, among Arab voters. This decline is attributed to their support for the disqualifications, causing Arab voters to question their commitment to representation and Arab community issues.

Regarding polling accuracy and expected turnout, the report affirmed the scientific and academic methodologies used in opinion polls, refuting stereotypes about the difficulty of measuring Arab public opinion. Current projections estimate Arab voter turnout between 59% and 61%. To achieve strong representation, potentially around 15 seats, turnout needs to reach at least 65%. The final number of seats will also depend on the overall Jewish voter turnout and the performance of parties near the electoral threshold.