Jakarta, ThedailyID — More than 1.15 million Arab citizens of Israel are eligible to vote in the country’s parliamentary election on October 27, 2026. However, Arab political parties face a major obstacle: leading Jewish political blocs remain reluctant to form alliances with them.
Israel’s Central Elections Committee reported on October 21 that approximately 1.159 million eligible Arab voters account for 18% of the electorate. The total number of eligible voters for the 26th Knesset election stands at around 7.3 million, including 6.5 million residents of Israel and others living abroad.
Jewish voters account for 77% of eligible voters among Israel’s population, including 13.6% who are ultra-Orthodox. Arab voters represent 18%, while other groups account for the remaining 5%.
Despite their numbers, Arab parties face political isolation as right-wing parties dominate much of Israel’s political landscape. Polls have consistently suggested that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing bloc nor the Jewish-led opposition can secure a parliamentary majority on its own.
In theory, Arab parties could help determine the next government by supporting one of the competing blocs. However, political divisions and opposition to partnerships with Arab representatives complicate that possibility.
Amjad Iraqi, a senior analyst on Israel and Palestine at the International Crisis Group (ICG), said the electoral projections reveal a deeper divide within Palestinian politics in Israel.
The divide also reflects the dilemma facing Arab voters as they seek to protect their rights and community amid an increasingly hardline Israeli political environment.
The opposition’s reluctance to work with Arab parties remains a key obstacle. Nearly all Jewish opposition parties have rejected formal alliances, while some have also ruled out accepting Arab parties as external supporters of a minority government.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, has openly expressed hostility toward Palestinians. Naftali Bennett, leader of Together, has also faced concerns about alienating Jewish voters still affected by the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks.
Yair Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid, has shown reluctance to become constrained by the demands of Arab parties.
Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the opposition party Yashar!, has called for a “Zionist majority” coalition. He has said Arab party lists do not meet his criteria for partnership, including positions on military or civilian national service, recognition of Israel as a “Jewish and democratic” state, and designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Arab political leaders, however, insist they remain ready to influence the formation of Israel’s next government. The Joint List, known in Hebrew as HaReshima HaMeshutefet, sees a stronger far-right bloc as a potential threat to Arab citizens and Palestinians in occupied territories.
Although Arab parties do not expect an easy partnership with Eisenkot’s bloc, they argue that preventing Netanyahu’s return remains a political priority.
“Our goal is to slow the bleeding, and I don’t mean that metaphorically,” an Arab lawmaker told the International Crisis Group.
The election therefore presents a difficult choice for Arab voters and their political representatives. Their votes could prove significant in a closely divided parliament, but resistance to cooperation with Arab parties may limit their ability to shape the next government.
