Disenchanted Arab Voters May Play Major Role in Shaping Israeli Election
Many Arab citizens of Israel feel participation in the political system has yielded few results. But experts warn that low turnout would make matters worse for the community.
As Israelis return to the polls on November 1 for a fifth try in four years, the national debate is focusing on turnout, burnout, and voter apathy. No sector of the Israeli population is being watched more closely than its Arab citizens, who share the national frustration over government instability while gripped by a second concern: the belief that Arab participation in the electoral process, which mushroomed less than a decade ago, has yielded little in return.
Mohammad Darawshe, co-executive director of the Givat Haviva Institute, told The Media Line that this cycle of perpetual election and entrenched political deadlock has paralyzed the Knesset, resulting in government instability.