Arab and Druze Voters Shift Away From Likud in Israeli Elections
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Political analyst Monem Halabi observed a significant shift in Israeli voting, with Arab and Druze communities largely supporting the "change bloc" over Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party. Druze turnout rose to nearly 65%, with over 77% voting for non-Likud lists, while Netanyahu's efforts to appeal to them failed. Halabi cited issues like demolition orders, fines, and crime as reasons for the shift, calling the Arab parties' success a "historic achievement" and urging leaders to capitalize on the momentum.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Arab and Druze voters largely supported the "change bloc" in recent Israeli elections, rejecting Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud.
- Druze voter turnout increased to 64.7%, with over 77% backing non-Likud parties, a significant blow to the Likud.
- Analyst Monem Halabi criticized Netanyahu's challenges to election integrity as a desperate political maneuver.
- Ongoing issues like demolition orders, fines, and crime contributed to the Arab and Druze communities' shift in voting.
- Arab parties achieved a "historic" success, winning 19-20 seats, prompting calls for strategic political engagement.
Political analyst Monem Halabi discussed significant shifts in Israeli voting patterns following the recent elections, noting a strong turnout from Arab and Druze voters for the "change bloc." Halabi, speaking from Daliyat al-Karmel, highlighted the failure of acting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attempts to win over these communities.
Despite the Likud party securing 27 seats, Halabi suggested Netanyahu is nearing the end of his political career. He anticipates Israeli President Isaac Herzog will task figures from the "change bloc" with forming the next government, potentially starting with removing the current Knesset speaker. Halabi criticized Netanyahu's challenges to the election's integrity as a desperate attempt to evade political reality, questioning the credibility of someone facing corruption charges speaking about integrity.
In Druze villages like Isfiya and Julis, voter turnout increased to approximately 64.7%, an 11% rise from previous elections. Over 77% of Druze voters supported parties in the "change bloc" and Arab lists. Halabi stated that Netanyahu's visits to Druze towns, aimed at portraying himself as a protector of the community, were a "resounding failure," with the Likud receiving a very small percentage of votes, such as only 4% in Isfiya.
Halabi attributed the shift away from the ruling right-wing parties, including Ben Gvir and Smotrich, to ongoing issues such as repeated demolition orders for homes, billions in fines, and widespread crime and violence in Arab and Druze villages. He emphasized that the Druze community, sharing identity and concerns with the broader Arab community, voted to oust the far-right government.
Halabi described the success of Arab parties, winning 19 to 20 seats with nearly a million Arab voters, as a "historic achievement." He urged Arab leaders to exercise high political acumen and awareness to leverage this popular momentum, stressing the importance of active engagement to secure civil and livelihood rights for all Arab citizens.
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