‘He’s united Arab Israelis’: Ben Gvir’s harsh policies drive high turnout in Arab towns

Election results and exit polls indicate a significant surge in Arab voter turnout across Israeli towns, leading to projections that Arab parties will nearly double their representation in the next Knesset. According to reports from The Jerusalem Post, exit polls place these parties at between 17 and 18 seats. The Times of Israel further specifies an updated Channel 13 exit poll which shows Arab parties gaining a seat to reach 18, while the Zionist opposition bloc has decreased by one seat to a total of 52. This shift is attributed to the policies of Ben Gvir, which coverage suggests have united Arab Israelis and driven the high turnout. Multiple news outlets are tracking the irregularities and the political atmosphere surrounding the vote. Haaretz reports that the head of the Arab-majority Joint List has stated the party cannot be ignored given the historic level of voter participation.

However, Haaretz also reports delayed voting at polling stations in Arab areas, noting a visible police presence during these delays. Middle East Eye reports a more severe allegation from Ra’am, stating that Israeli police seized ballot boxes in the Negev region, adding a layer of contention to the electoral process. Contextually, this trend reflects a heightened mobilization within Arab-majority sectors of the population. The coverage emphasizes that the harsh policies implemented by Ben Gvir served as a primary catalyst for this mobilization. The resulting projections of 17 to 18 seats represent a substantial increase in legislative power for these parties compared to previous terms. This surge indicates a shift in the political landscape, as the Arab parties move toward a position where, according to the Joint List leadership, their influence can no longer be overlooked in the formation of the government.

Attention now turns to the final certification of the votes and the resolution of reported disruptions. Observers will be monitoring the validity of the results in the Negev following the claims by Ra’am regarding the seizure of ballot boxes by police. Further focus remains on whether the projected 18 seats for Arab parties and 52 for the Zionist opposition bloc will hold in the final count. The sequence of events suggests a volatile election day marked by both high engagement and reports of police interference at polling stations.