Israel’s Arab Citizens and the 2015 General Elections: Post-election Review I April 2015

In the General Elections of 2015, Arab citizens achieved greater prominence in Israel and on the world stage than any time in recent history. Successful creation of the Joint List – a merger of the 2 Arab and 1 Jewish-Arab parties that formerly represented Arab society in the Knesset – raised the profile of Arab political domestic aspirations in Israel and inspired Arab voters to come out in higher numbers. In addition, controversy surrounding PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments about Arab voters in the last hours of the campaign made headlines within Israel, the Jewish diaspora, and among Israel’s international relations.

Now, with 13 mandates, the Joint List is taking its first steps to address issues important to the Arab community and cement its place in the 20th Knesset. Arab voting participation rates, election results, and controversial campaigning all set the tone for the new reality in which the Joint List is takes its place as the third largest political party.