Israeli Arab political power rising with elections, challenging world’s assumptions - analysis

In the recent Israeli election, Mansour Abbas, leader of Ra am, was asked about the terms Gadi Eisenkot set for collaboration with Arab parties. Instead of diving into negotiations, Abbas prioritized determining whether a government was viable. He recognized the potential impact of the election's outcome on his party's leverage and the demands he could make.

While Arab citizens are often highlighted abroad as examples of Israeli democracy, their political arguments remain less scrutinized. Israel's Arab parties are now contemplating how to exert influence, articulate their demands, and balance compromise with their supporters.

Some of these decisions have already shaped Israeli history. Ra am participated in the Bennett-Lapid coalition formed in 2021, contributing to a government led by a right-wing prime minister. The upcoming election could once again position Arab parties as key players in coalition negotiations. With the projected results pending, it is unclear whether Netanyahu's bloc will secure a majority or if the government will fall.

Each seat in Israel's 120-seat parliament carries equal weight in determining a coalition's majority. Arab citizens' votes play a crucial role in this process, and governments may rely on these votes just as they do on those of Jewish citizens.

However, the presence of apartheid in Israel warrants attention beyond election-night rhetoric. Amnesty International's allegations extend to Israel as a whole, not just the occupied territories, and it acknowledges Arab representation in parliament. While this representation does not erase the discrimination faced by Palestinians in the West Bank, it does highlight the political power that Arab citizens hold.

Arab parties are debating the extent of their influence and the compromises they are willing to make, and these choices can have far-reaching consequences for Israeli politics.

The composition of Arab parties and their leaders varies significantly, and this diversity is reflected in their stances on national issues. Mansour Abbas seeks to participate in government, while the Joint List, comprising Hadash, Ta al, and Balad, has offered to negotiate support outside of a government led by Netanyahu. Their leader, Yousef Jabareen, has demanded a plan to address crime, while setting red lines on national matters such as war and settlement budgets.

Cooperating with these parties would require navigating their differences. Meanwhile, Ra am has taken a notable step by recruiting Yoav Segalovitz, a former Yesh Atid lawmaker with Jewish roots. This move highlights the complexities of political identity and raises questions about policing and partnership within a party with Islamist-conservative roots.

The views of Jewish parties also differ, particularly in terms of their willingness to align with Arab parties in a coalition. The recent past adds another layer of complexity. Shortly after the October 7 attack, Ra am and Eisenkot disagreed on the party's non-Zionist character. More recently, Balad's chairman, Sami Abu Shehadeh, sparked controversy by discussing the attack's strategic implications without condemning the civilian casualties.

Ra am MK Iman Khatib-Yasin later condemned the massacre, but the differing reactions and the scrutiny they faced underscore the importance of accountability in Israeli politics. Ultimately, the outcomes of this election will depend on the specific proposals and positions of each party, rather than simply the seat totals.