Israeli Arab Parties Surge in Election, Shaking Up Netanyahu's Grip

Palestinian citizens of Israel voted in record numbers this week, boosting Arab-led parties into a powerful political force and potentially enabling the center-right opposition to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Arab-led parties saw a more-than-60% increase in votes compared to previous elections, according to the Central Election Committee. The surge follows the 2023 Hamas attack, which stirred anti-Arab sentiment, and fears over violence in Gaza, prompting many Palestinian Israelis to seek basic rights through political participation. In the deadlocked election, neither Netanyahu's bloc nor challenger Gadi Eisenkot's coalition won enough seats to govern. Eisenkot could partner with Arab parties, though this risks splitting his coalition. Political analysts describe the shift as "tectonic," with voters like 33-year-old Mansour Shaaban saying politicians can no longer take Palestinian citizens for granted.