Israel. Coalition leader says Arab parties cannot be ignored

The leader of the Joint List coalition in Israel highlighted the historic electoral projections for Arab political parties, indicating they can no longer be overlooked. Yusef Yabarin stated that the Arab parties have gained significant support, potentially achieving a record number of seats in the Knesset. The Ra'am party is projected to secure seven seats, while the Joint List may obtain between 10 and 11, nearly doubling their previous results. This shift underscores the importance of Arab parties in future government formations, despite major political blocs' reluctance to partner with them. Voter turnout in Arab cities has also surged, with Umm al-Fahm reaching 75.7%. Overall, the election saw a turnout of 77.7%, the highest since 2001, following the recent Hamas attacks.