Internal Rift in Arab Parties Threatens Israel's Anti-Netanyahu Bloc Ahead of Elections

With just ten weeks until Israel's elections, the political landscape is more fragmented than ever, not only among center-right parties but also within the opposing bloc. While much attention has focused on the splintering of center-right factions, a significant internal conflict has erupted among the Arab parties, potentially jeopardizing the entire anti-Netanyahu coalition.

This week, the near-certain alliance between Hadash, Ta'al, and Balad to run on a joint list without Mansour Abbas's Ra'am party collapsed. After months of negotiations, the parties failed to agree on candidate placements, leading to Ta'al leader Ahmad Tibi abruptly ending talks. Tibi protested receiving only two spots in the top ten, accusing Hadash and Balad of sidelining him through a reconciliation committee composed of respected Arab community figures. The breakdown has turned a partnership dating back to 2015 into bitter rivalry, with mutual accusations aired in the Arab media.

In response, Ta'al is exploring alternative alliances, including with the newly formed Arab-Jewish party "A Place for All," founded by former members of "Standing Together." Although "A Place for All" currently polls below the electoral threshold, its leaders believe a joint run with Ta'al could secure representation. However, experts warn that competing Arab lists could split votes, risking all but one Arab party failing to cross the threshold.

This scenario could benefit Netanyahu's bloc, which consistently polls near 61 seats without Arab party support, while the opposition risks falling short of the majority needed to form a government. The last election saw a similar split when Balad ran separately, losing nearly 140,000 votes, contributing to Netanyahu's victory.

Opposition leaders like Gadi Eizenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Lieberman have yet to decide on leadership or internal management of the bloc. Their apparent disregard for the Arab parties' turmoil could prove costly. One Arab party leader warned that complacency risks repeating past defeats, urging the opposition to wake up before it's too late.