Israeli Arab parties could decide election as Netanyahu faces coalition deadlock

Israeli-Arab parties could determine the outcome of Israel's upcoming general election, as neither major bloc is projected to secure a parliamentary majority. The opposition may need to break a pledge to form a coalition with them to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Polls show Netanyahu's allies and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's camp each winning about 50 of the Knesset's 120 seats, short of the 61 needed to govern. Arab parties are predicted to win at least 13 seats, and Eisenkot has vowed not to ally with them, though analysts expect he may reverse this stance. Israeli Arabs, comprising 20% of the population, are expected to turn out in high numbers to address issues like crime and judicial reform. Arab parties have signaled willingness for ad-hoc cooperation with Eisenkot's coalition, despite opposition members universally rejecting such ties since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.