Arab parties

'Nobody is taking us seriously': Arab Israelis weigh their vote

Arab Israelis head to the polls frustrated by crime and distrust, but aware their turnout could shape results

|ByDANA BEN-SHIMON
Rising violence and organized crime in Arab communities have deepened frustration among the Arab population, leaving many residents skeptical that a change of government will improve their personal security. Premium
Israel’s election campaign is gathering pace, with the country’s political parties competing over the questions of security, leadership and the direction Israel takes after three years of war.

Refusing Arab parties in gov't: Why are Israeli politicians handing its enemies a weapon? - opinion

A generation is being taught that the idea of a Jewish state is inherently racist. The accusation has spread well beyond criticism of Israeli policy, to Zionism and Jews who identify with it.

|ByJEREMY LEVIN
An election campaign poster featuring Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot is displayed on a bus in Jerusalem, October 5, 2026

Eisenkot leads Netanyahu, but both blocs without clear path to 61-seat majority - poll

The polling average puts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc, including Ofer Winter's People of Israel party, and the Zionist opposition at approximately 52 seats each.

|ByMAARIV
The launch of the new People of Israel party, led by Ofer Winter, ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Jerusalem, August 25, 2026.

'Bibi can kiss my ass': Ofer Winter says his support for Netanyahu is not unconditional

Winter further described himself as a "public servant," saying that he fights "for a path, not for a party."

|ByAARON GLICK

Israel is ready for an Arab party in the governing coalition - editorial

More than a fifth of Israel’s nine million citizens are Arabs, and there is every reason to include an Arab party in the new coalition.

MARCH 30, 2021ByJPOST EDITORIAL
Ra'am party leader Mansour Abbas at the party headquarters in Tamra, on election night, March 23, 2021.

Election survey: 87% of Israeli Arabs support entering or supporting gov't

Whether enough Jewish parties would be willing to sit with Arabic parties in order to form a government however, remains a different question altogether.

MARCH 14, 2021ByIDAN ZONSHINE
An Israeli Arab casts her ballot at a polling station inside a church in the northern town of Reineh, March 17, 2015.

Yesh Atid's Yair Lapid willing to cooperate with Arab parties

Lapid’s answer is a positive sea-change in the political discourse surrounding the Joint Arab List.

MARCH 1, 2021ByJEFF BARAK
MK YAIR LAPID: Arab parties deserve being part of decision-making process.

Netanyahu attempts to rally the Arab vote

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled on Friday to the Arab town of Umm el-Fahm to personally witness the one-millionth person in Israel to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

JANUARY 3, 2021ByJPOST EDITORIAL
PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu announces a peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, during a news conference at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem on Thursday.

Kfar Bara leads the way among Israeli-Arab localities

Kfar Bara is characterized by a homogeneous population of 100% Muslim Arabs and has enjoyed relative electoral stability and strong local leadership for the last 15-odd years.

JULY 2, 2020ByRUTH WASSERMAN LANDE
A bird’s eye view of Kfar Bara, a thriving Muslim Arab community in central Israel with some 3,000 residents

Ayman Odeh, Joint List

Who is Ayman Odeh?

SEPTEMBER 16, 2019ByJEREMY SHARON
Ayman Odeh

Netanyahu's Facebook page sends warning of Arabs who 'want to destroy us'

"We turned to Facebook. They must act immediately to put an end to this racist and dangerous incitement by Netanyahu against the Arab population," said Joint List leader Ayman Odeh.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2019ByTZVI JOFFRE
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises to do all he can to build a coalition in a press conference Monday 27.05.2019

All four Arab parties running together

“We will work to improve Arab turnout so the Joint List will be a force to be reckoned with in Israeli politics,” said Balad leader Mtanes Shehadeh.

JULY 30, 2019ByGIL HOFFMAN
The heads of Hadash, Ta'al and Ra'am parties agree to create a joint Arab List, July 27, 2019

All 4 Arab parties to run together in September elections

Balad leader MK Mtanes Shehadeh said he asked his counterparts in the other parties to postpone the press conference, "but we were refused."

JULY 29, 2019ByGIL HOFFMAN, EZRA TAYLOR
The heads of Hadash, Ta'al and Ra'am parties agree to create a joint Arab List, July 27, 2019

Ra’am-Balad and Hadash-Ta’al

According to recent surveys, Arab turnout is expected to decline to little over 50% on Tuesday, similar to the average turnout preceding the establishment of the Joint List.

APRIL 8, 2019ByEYTAN HALON
Ahmad Tibi