The 2026 parliamentary elections in Israel have resulted in a significant role for Arab parties, Ra’am and Joint List, which secured 19 seats in the Knesset. With neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot able to form a government alone, the influence of these parties is notable. Voter turnout among Arab citizens has been affected by rising crime and perceived anti-Arab sentiments from the government. Recent events have further strained relations between Arab and Jewish communities, complicating the political landscape.
Key facts
- Ra’am and Joint List won 19 seats in the Knesset in the 2026 elections.
- Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats, while Eisenkot's bloc has 48.
- Arab voter turnout fell below 45% in 2021, a record low.
- Crime in Arab areas has nearly tripled from 2019 to 2025.
- Netanyahu framed Arab voter turnout as a threat to Jewish citizens.
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