Arab Parties Poised for Historic High in Knesset Elections

Arab parties, the Joint List and Ra'am, are projected to achieve a historic high in the 26th Knesset elections, potentially securing between 16 to 18 mandates according to television exit polls. This represents a significant increase from the 10 mandates they held in the previous Knesset. Voter turnout among the Arab sector was exceptionally high, reaching 74.3% nationwide by 8:00 PM. Many Arab towns and Bedouin communities reported turnout exceeding 80%, with some villages like Al-Arian in Wadi Ara seeing 90.7% participation. This surge contrasts sharply with the 2022 elections, where turnout in many of these same communities was considerably lower, in some cases nearly half the current figures. The article suggests that the high turnout might be partly attributed to the presence of Yosef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, as a local resident.

The potential gains by Arab parties could position them as kingmakers in the formation of the next government. Exit polls indicate that the opposition bloc may require their support to advance legislative measures against the Netanyahu bloc, such as the "accused law" or potentially forming a government reliant on their backing. However, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yesh Atid, is expected to be the first to receive a mandate to form a government and has stated he will only form one based on a "Zionist majority."

The Joint List is an alliance of Hadash, Ta'al, and Balad. Hadash is led by Yosef Jabareen, Ta'al by Ahmed Tibi, and Balad by Sami Abu Shehadeh, who was disqualified from running. Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas since 2019, is the political arm of the Southern Islamic Movement. Ra'am previously supported the "change government" after the 2021 elections, drawing criticism from Benjamin Netanyahu. This election cycle, Ra'am included a Jewish candidate, former Deputy Minister of Interior Yoav Segalovitz, in the second position on its list.