What's behind the rise of the Palestinian vote in Israel's 2026 election?

In an interview with Middle East Eye, analyst Ameer Fakhoury explains the factors contributing to the increased Palestinian vote in Israel's upcoming 2026 election. As Palestinian citizens comprise about 20% of Israel's population, their turnout is expected to reach between 64-68%, potentially surpassing the 54% turnout in the 2022 election.

Fakhoury attributes this surge in voting to the changing dynamics in Israel. He notes that Palestinians no longer feel reassured by the internal restraints that existed in the past. The genocide in Gaza and the ongoing atrocities in the West Bank have eroded the belief that Israel would protect Palestinians. Furthermore, the opinion polls indicate that 80% of Jewish Israelis support the destruction of Palestinians, which has further fueled the Palestinian desire to vote in this election.

Historically, Palestinians in Israel had three lines of defense. The first was self-restraint within Israeli society and its institutions. The second was Israel's relationship with the liberal international order, which also lost its restraining effect. Lastly, Israel's Supreme Court provided some protection, albeit imperfectly, for Palestinians. However, with the disappearance of these restraints, Palestinians are now recognizing that their very existence is at stake.