As the Israeli elections unfold, with 90 per cent of the votes counted by 9 pm local time, no decisive winner has emerged. The Israeli Central Elections Committee reports that Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is projected to secure 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, while the Opposition, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is anticipated to obtain 48 seats based on preliminary results. The focus now shifts to the two Arab parties, the Joint List and Ra’am, and their potential influence in the formation of the new government.

Ra’am was previously part of the Joint List until 2021, and although the Joint List is an alliance, it often contests elections independently. In the 2015 elections, the Joint List emerged as the third-largest party in the Knesset, gaining 13 seats and 10.6 per cent of the vote share. It regained this status in the 2019 elections with 15 seats. However, the inability to form a coalition government led to a repeat election in 2020, where the Arab alliance again secured 15 seats.

In the subsequent elections of 2021, Ra’am did not participate in the Joint List, resulting in a significant decline to six seats. The Joint List disbanded as Ra’am, Ta’al, and Balad distanced themselves from the alliance. Ahead of the 2026 elections, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the Joint List re-emerged, now including Hadash, Ta’al, and Balad, while Ra’am chose to contest independently.

Joint List’s Focus and Agenda

Under the leadership of Yousef Jabareen, the Joint List has concentrated on addressing broader conflicts involving Israel, advocating for a shift towards investing in societal well-being rather than military engagements. The alliance has called for improvements in housing, wages, free education, and workers’ rights, aiming to enhance the quality of life for Israeli-Arab communities.

Additionally, the Joint List has highlighted the urgent need to tackle organised crime, which is a pressing concern within Arab society in Israel. Their statement emphasises the importance of economic development, restoring the rule of law, and fostering a genuine partnership between the state and Arab society. They advocate for moving away from a culture of temporary fixes to one of lawful arrangements.

Ra’am, officially known as the United Arab List, is a conservative political entity with roots in Islamism, established before the 1996 elections. Over the years, the party’s electoral support grew, culminating in its participation in the coalition government in 2021, marking a historic moment for Arab representation in Israeli governance. However, in 2022, Ra’am returned to the Opposition, with leader Mansour Abbas expressing openness to collaborating with anti-Netanyahu factions.

Challenges and Future Prospects for Arab Parties

The presence of 19 Arab seats in the Knesset could potentially elevate either the Netanyahu or Eisenkot blocs beyond the crucial 61-seat majority threshold. However, an informal anti-Arab veto exists, reflecting the reluctance of Jewish-led parties to form coalitions with Arab factions. This was evident when the Netanyahu-led bloc attempted to exclude Arab parties from the elections, a decision later overturned by the Supreme Court.

Joint List leader Jabareen has articulated that the alliance’s primary objective is to remove Netanyahu from power and alter the political landscape in Israel. Collaborating with Eisenkot may prove challenging due to the bloc’s stance on military actions in Gaza and southern Lebanon. Conversely, Ra’am’s Abbas has indicated a willingness to participate in a new coalition, asserting that engagement within the political system is the most effective means to address pressing issues.

However, aligning with Arab parties may be contentious for Jewish-led factions, especially following the October 2023, attacks by Hamas. Should both blocs remain unwilling to collaborate with Arab parties, Israel might face the prospect of another election, with Netanyahu continuing as the caretaker leader.

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