Arab-Israeli Parties Surge, Hold Key to Ousting Netanyahu

Israel's Arab-majority parties won a record 19 seats in parliament, emerging as the potential kingmakers in a deadlocked election that could end Benjamin Netanyahu's long rule. Preliminary results show Netanyahu's Likud remains the largest single party with 26 seats, but his far-right coalition bloc has fallen short of the 61-seat majority needed to govern. The opposition bloc, led by former general Gadi Eisenkot, holds 48 seats—also short of a majority. That leaves the Arab-Israeli parties holding the balance of power. The Joint List, a left-wing alliance, won 12 seats—its best result ever—while the moderate Islamist Ra'am party gained two more seats. **A "Racist" Veto** Despite their strong showing, Arab-Israeli parties face a wall of rejection. During the campaign, every Jewish party—including those in the opposition—ruled out cooperating with them, whether to form a coalition or to support a government from outside. "The fact that no bloc wants these parties means Israel is a racist country; they are discriminating against more than 20% of the population," said historian Meir Margalit, a veteran human rights activist. Arab citizens of Israel, about 2 million people, turned out in record numbers. Their participation likely exceeded the national average of 77%, driven by anger over deteriorating conditions under Netanyahu's government, including rising crime in their communities. **Opposition Divided** Eisenkot's bloc shares only one goal: removing Netanyahu from power. The parties span different ideologies, and none supports an independent Palestinian state or an end to the Israeli occupation. Only Yair Golan, leader of the centrist Democrats party, has openly called for working with Arab-Israeli parties to unseat Netanyahu. He urged other opposition members to open talks with the Joint List and Ra'am. Joint List leader Yusef Yabarin said on X that change requires "a Jewish-Arab partnership" that is "real and equal." He added: "We are ready and prepared to pave the way for the overthrow of Netanyahu's government." **Netanyahu's Party Cries Fraud** Likud has asked police and the Shin Bet security agency to investigate how Arab parties achieved their results, alleging bribery, threats, violence, fraud, and illegal software use. The party filed a complaint with the Central Elections Committee, which said it would review the matter. **Uncertain Path Forward** Margalit doubts a government backed by Arab parties would last. "It wouldn't last long because the Palestinians would demand measures Eisenkot couldn't fulfill, and the government would fall very quickly," he said, warning of political instability. He also warned that if Arab-Israeli voters see their support ignored, they may lose faith in politics entirely. "I think this will be the last time Arab parties manage to attract so many voters to the polls, if they see that voting is worthless because even when they win so many seats, no one takes them into account." Margalit said real change must come from outside pressure—particularly from Europe and the United States—comparing it to the international campaign against South African apartheid. He did not rule out Netanyahu launching a new attack on Iran while serving as caretaker prime minister, possibly with support from Donald Trump.