Palestinian citizens of occupied lands delivered a major electoral setback to Netanyahu’s far-right government in last month’s general election, with record voter turnout helping Arab-led parties secure 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset and leaving both major political blocs short of the majority needed to form a government.
The outcome exposed growing opposition among Palestinian citizens to the Israeli regime’s discriminatory policies, its occupation of Palestinian territories and its genocidal war in Gaza, while giving Arab-led parties unprecedented leverage in the negotiations over Israel’s political future.
“We blocked the government of Netanyahu from continuing,” said Jamal Zahalka, chairman of the High Follow-Up Committee, the main umbrella body representing Palestinian citizens of the occupied lands. “It’s a historical achievement. I think our community found its strength.”
The electoral gains came amid mounting anger over Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, including the killing of more than 74,000 Palestinians in Gaza, the destruction of the enclave and escalating violence by Israeli occupation forces and settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
At a commemoration in Kufr Qasim marking the 1956 massacre of Palestinian residents by Israeli border police, participants connected the historical killings to the continuing violence against Palestinians.
“And today we stand here, 70 years later,” a speaker told the gathering. “And the story still isn’t over.”
The turnout surge reflected growing frustration with discrimination inside the occupied lands and the suffering of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
“There is no freedom anymore,” said Intisar Sarsur, 65, describing the worsening conditions facing Palestinian communities. “We are seeking for our basic rights as human beings.”
According to the Central Elections Committee, Arab-led parties increased their vote totals by 64% compared with the previous election, intensifying concerns among Israel’s political right, which views their growing influence as a threat to the country’s Jewish character.
Netanyahu and his far-right allies responded by portraying Arab participation as an emergency.
Far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged voters to defend Israel’s Jewish and Zionist identity, while Netanyahu’s Likud party alleged, without presenting public evidence, that Arab parties had secured votes through bribery, threats and forgery.
Police found no basis for the allegations, and election officials said the vote was conducted properly without widespread fraud.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot faces a difficult choice over whether to seek support from Arab-led parties. His military background and hawkish positions, including his association with the Dahiyeh doctrine of disproportionate force, have made him an uneasy potential partner.
The Joint List, which won 11 of the 19 Arab-led seats, has ruled out formally joining his coalition, citing Israel’s continuing war in Gaza and occupation of the West Bank.
With neither bloc commanding a majority, the political deadlock could lead to another election next year if coalition negotiations fail.
For Palestinian citizens, however, the result has already demonstrated the growing political weight of a community long marginalized by Israel’s political establishment.