Israel's next parliamentary elections will have no ideology, but lots of populism and inaccuracies, including among the Arab parties in their quest to garner the votes of Arab Israelis, who are moving further and further away from exercising their democratic rights.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Unlike in the past, the Arab streets are full of hatred, inaccuracies, and mutual accusations. And history has already shown that two competing Arab parties running in the elections does not increase the number of Arab voters who show up at the polls, but quite the opposite.
Although the possibility of Ra'am rejoining the Joint Arab List is being considered, the two factions have already begun their election campaigns that will no doubt negatively portray the other party and alienate Arab voters.
It is hard to spot significant ideological differences between the two parties, especially since the establishment of the Joint Arab List, which created an alliance between four Arab parties, and managed to do away with their differences, causing the Arab public to view them as one. Such unity automatically removed competitiveness and mutual criticism.
For the first time in the history of the elections, Israeli Arabs may sit out the next vote. Not because of an ideological disagreement, but because of the bickering between Ra'am and the Joint Arab List.
There really is no significant difference between the two parties. The Joint Arab List is proud of never having been part of the coalition while keeping in mind the interests of the Arab, or Palestinian, public. Alternatively, Ra'am is proud to have made history by becoming the first Islamist faction to join the coalition to impact from within and ensure budgets for the Arab public.
The election campaign in the Arab sector is in full swing, and it began all the way last year when Ra'am joined the coalition. Both parties hold information that could embarrass the other side, ranging from support or opposition to the LGBTQ movement to different positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
But it is populism and fake news that will determine the election, even though both Arab factions are in danger: Ra'am of not crossing the prerequisite four-Knesset-seat electoral threshold and the Joint Arab List of not garnering six mandates, as it did in the past.
It all depends on how many Arab voters arrive at the polls on election day. Polls show it could be as little as 40%, simply because Arab voters are disappointed with those who represent them in the Knesset.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
