Palestinian citizens of Israel weigh voting in crucial election

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 07:32 · Archive

Palestinian citizens of Israel, about 20% of the population, face a crucial election where their turnout could determine whether Benjamin Netanyahu retains power.

Palestinian citizens of Israel, about 20% of the population, are set to play a critical role in next week's general election. They are forecast to secure between 12 and 15 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, divided between the Islamist Ra'am party and the Joint List alliance of three smaller parties including Ta'al.

Most polling shows Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition will lose its majority, but the Jewish Israeli opposition bloc will also fall short of the 61 seats needed to form a government. Ahmad Tibi, a Knesset member and head of Ta'al, said high Arab turnout was essential to unseat the far-right government. However, most Jewish Israeli opposition parties have ruled out a coalition with Arab politicians, and Netanyahu's allies have campaigned to make such an alliance politically toxic, with posters reading "It's the right or Palestine".

Palestinian voters themselves are conflicted. Laila Atamneh, 19, will vote for the first time, seeing it as a responsibility to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza who cannot vote. Yet many Palestinian citizens question whether voting legitimises a system they view as excluding them, with some parents choosing to abstain rather than participate in what they see as endorsing Israeli democracy whilst Palestinians face occupation.

How it is being reported

• ‘The biggest motivation is fear’: High turnout among Israel’s Palestinians could unseat NetanyahuThe Knesset is up for grabs next week and the Arab community is desperate to topple the far-right ruling coalition As the sun set over the town of Kfar Qasim, Palestinian citizens of Israel gathered over hot knafeh pastries and shots of strong cardamom-laced coffee to hear an urgent pitch for their votes. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel’s population and their votes are likely to be critical to efforts to unseat Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition in elections next week. Continue reading...The Guardian · 23 Oct, 07:00
• In Israel election, Palestinian citizens weigh fear against disillusionmentWith vote at knife’s edge, Palestinian citizens weigh principle against strategic voting in system stacked against them.Al Jazeera · 22 Oct, 08:02

In this story: Benjamin Netanyahu · Ahmad Tibi · Israel · Knesset · Ta'al · Ra'am · Joint List

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