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Arab Voter Turnout Surpasses Jewish Turnout for First Time in Israeli Election
For the first time in Israel's history, voter turnout among Arab citizens has exceeded that of Jewish citizens, reaching a record 80.53% in the recent elections for the 26th Knesset. According to final results released by the Central Elections Committee, the overall national voter turnout reached 77.7%, representing a 7.1% increase compared to the 2022 elections and marking the highest participation rate since 1999. A total of 5,695,682 voters cast their ballots in the election.
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What happened
- 01Arab voter turnout reached a historic record of 80.53% in the 26th Knesset elections, surpassing Jewish voter participation for the first time.
- 02Overall national voter turnout hit 77.7%, the highest in 25 years, with 5,695,682 citizens casting ballots.
- 03Kuseir al-Sir recorded the highest turnout in the Arab sector at 93.02%, while Masada reported the lowest at 45.29%.
- 04Projections from major television networks suggest Arab parties could secure 17 to 18 seats in the new Knesset.
- 05The United List is projected to win 10 to 11 mandates, exceeding earlier poll predictions.
- 06Yousef Jabareen stated that the Arab bloc aims to replace the current coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich.
Detailed breakdowns of the Arab sector show varied turnout rates among specific towns and Bedouin tribes. Kuseir al-Sir recorded the highest turnout at 93.02%, followed closely by Umm al-Qutuf at 92.27% and Bir al-Haj at 91.52%. Conversely, the lowest turnout in the sector was reported in Masada at 45.29%, while Ghajar recorded 46.87% and Buk'ata registered 49.83%.
Political commentator Amit Segal highlighted the historic demographic shift, noting that Arab voter activity had surpassed Jewish participation. Following the high turnout, major television networks project that Arab parties could secure 17 to 18 seats in the new Knesset, with the United List expected to win 10 to 11 mandates. Yousef Jabareen, faction chairman, stated at the bloc's headquarters that their goal is to replace the current coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: Cursorinfo. Read Cursorinfo’s originalThe coverage
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