The fear of Ben Gvir and Smotrich drives Arabs to the polls

The participation of Arab voters in Israel's elections surged, reaching around 80%, the highest since 1999. This mobilization was driven by fears of right-wing politicians like Ben Gvir and Smotrich. The Arab parties, Ra’am and the Joint List, secured a historic 18 seats in the Knesset. In cities like Umm al Fahm and Rahat, voter turnout significantly increased compared to previous elections. The election night was celebrated by Arab party supporters, while Netanyahu expressed alarm over the turnout. The Arab vote is now crucial for forming a government, with opposition leaders acknowledging the need for Arab party support to achieve a majority.