In Israel’s recent elections, the two Arab-led political entities, Raam and the Joint List, emerged as significant players by collectively securing 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset. This outcome surprised many observers, highlighting the growing political influence of Arab parties within Israel’s parliamentary landscape.
Raam, led by Mansour Abbas, is a socially conservative Islamist party established in 1996 by a branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel. It has sought to focus primarily on domestic issues affecting Arab citizens of Israel, such as violent crime and discriminatory housing policies, while de-emphasizing the broader Palestinian national cause related to the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Raam made history in 2021 by joining the governing coalition, marking a rare instance of a mainstream Arab party entering Israeli government. Abbas has advocated for Jewish-Arab cooperation and has expressed willingness to participate in decision-making processes despite potential political costs to his community.
The Joint List, an alliance of three factions—Hadash, Balad, and Taal—represents a broader spectrum of Arab political thought, ranging from leftist to Palestinian nationalist positions. Hadash, a left-wing Arab-Jewish party founded in 1977, supports Israel’s withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders and recognition of Palestinian self-determination, including resolving the refugee issue based on United Nations resolutions. It also calls for equal rights for Arab citizens, reduced military expenditures, and an end to settlement funding in occupied territories. Hadash’s leaders have condemned violence committed against Israeli civilians, including the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.
Balad, established in the mid-1990s, is a Palestinian nationalist party emphasizing Israel as a state for all its citizens, a stance that has generated controversy among many Israelis concerned about preserving the country’s Jewish identity. Balad advocates autonomy for Arab education and has faced scrutiny from Israeli authorities; its founders and members have been linked to incidents involving alleged security breaches or activism viewed as hostile by the Israeli state. In recent months, Balad’s chairman, Sami Abu Shahadeh, withdrew from the election slate after facing potential disqualification tied to contentious statements regarding the October 7 attacks, which he later condemned.
Taal, led by veteran politician Ahmad Tibi who has served over 25 years in the Knesset, fits within the nationalist discourse advocating for a Palestinian state and Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders. Tibi has been vocal about the complexity of affirming allegiance to Israel while maintaining Palestinian identity and has condemned attacks targeting civilians. He expressed readiness for pragmatic cooperation with other opposition groups to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, even if it meant making difficult concessions.
Both Raam and the Joint List have voiced willingness to collaborate with Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu, citing dissatisfaction with the current government’s policies, particularly those of far-right figures like Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Despite this, many Jewish-led opposition factions remain reluctant or outright oppose working with Arab parties, citing concerns over their stances on security and foreign affairs, especially regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the status of occupied territories.
The divergent approaches within Arab parties reflect broader debates about the role of Arab citizens in Israeli politics and the balance between pursuing communal rights, national identity, and pragmatic political influence amid ongoing national tensions. As Israel prepares for future coalition talks, the positions and potential partnerships of these Arab parties will continue to shape the political landscape.