Palestinian Citizens of Israel Weigh Disillusionment and Fear Ahead of Election
Voters face difficult choices as polling suggests Arab-led parties could hold the balance of power in the upcoming Israeli parliamentary election.
At a glance
- Palestinian citizens make up a fifth of Israel's population and could decide the outcome of the general election on October 27.
- Polls show neither Netanyahu nor the Zionist opposition can form a 61-seat majority without Arab-led lists Ra'am or the Joint List.
- Turnout is projected to rise from 53% in 2022 as voters attempt to block another government led by the extreme right.
Palestinian citizens of Israel are grappling with feelings of political exclusion and acute fear of the far right as they prepare to vote in Israel's general election on October 27. Making up about a fifth of the country's population, these voters find themselves in a pivotal position, with opinion polls indicating that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc nor the Zionist opposition alliance can secure a 61-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset without Arab-led parties.
For many voters, the desire to unseat Netanyahu’s government—the most right-wing in Israel’s history—competes with longstanding frustration over systemic discrimination and lack of influence. Recent years have seen intensifying state pressure, settlement expansion, and Israel's devastating war in Gaza. While some citizens question whether participating validates a political system that marginalises them, others argue that voting is essential to ward off even harsher policies and prevent hard-right factions from retaining power.
Turnout and Disqualification Battles
Turnout among Palestinian voters reached approximately 53 percent in the 2022 election, down from historical highs of 75 percent in 1999. Campaign organisers are targeting a turnout of up to 75 percent this cycle, pointing out that high participation could suppress smaller far-right parties below the 3.25 percent electoral threshold.
Electoral tensions flared on September 23 when Israel's Central Elections Committee attempted to disqualify both the Joint List—an alliance of Hadash, Balad, and Ta'al—and Ra'am. While Israel's Supreme Court overturned the disqualifications, Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew his candidacy after the court signaled support for barring him. Analysts noted the incident reinforced perceptions of an unfair process while simultaneously motivating higher turnout among voters who feel targeted.
The Dilemma Over Coalition Politics
The two main Arab-led factions offer differing strategies. Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, previously joined a governing coalition in 2021 to secure civic and budgetary gains, particularly for Bedouin communities in the Naqab. In contrast, the Joint List, led by Yousef Jabareen, recently signaled it could support an anti-Netanyahu government from outside the cabinet, demanding measures addressing Palestinian statehood, community violence, and organised crime.
Despite the mathematical need for Arab support, opposition leaders such as Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot have publicly rejected partnering with Arab parties. Even so, analysts and community advocates suggest that if Arab lists win 15 or more seats, political realities may force opposition leaders to negotiate after the ballots are counted.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- Why are Arab-led parties critical in this Israeli election?
- Opinion polls show neither Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc nor the Zionist opposition can secure the 61 seats needed for a Knesset majority without Arab-led parties.
- What Arab-led parties are running in the election?
- The primary contenders are Ra'am, which previously joined a ruling coalition in 2021, and the Joint List, an alliance consisting of the Hadash, Balad, and Ta'al parties.
- Did Israeli authorities attempt to ban Arab parties from running?
- Yes, the Central Elections Committee voted to disqualify both Ra'am and the Joint List on September 23, but the Supreme Court overturned the decision.
