The Arab Israeli vote in the March 23 elections is divided into two parts: the first has to do with lack of faith in Arab leadership and the sector's elected officials – clearly evident in the fact that the Joint Arab List shrunk from 15 seats to six – and the second the independent rise of the Ra'am party, the political wing of the moderate Southern Branch of the Islamic Movement into the Knesset after defeating projections and winning five mandates.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Arab Israelis proved for the second time in one year that they will penalize Arab MKs by simply not voting. The significant drop in voter turnout was predictable, and it was a cause for concern for the Joint Arab List and Ra'am both.
Many are now pinning their hopes and hopes on Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas, who has emerged as the Arab public's new leader. Perhaps he will be able to fulfill the desire of more than 70% of Arab Israelis to join the coalition and government. The Arab public longs to be part of the circle of influence, and the decision-making process – not just part of the opposition.
Voter turnout in the Arab sector reached about 50%, compared to over 90% participation in local elections in the Arab sector. This should be of great concern to the political leadership in Israel, Jewish and Arab alike.
The reason for the massive voter turnout in local elections versus the scant participation in the national elections is obvious: Arab voters want to make sure they are heard where they know they can reach points of influence and be an active part of the leadership.
The vast majority of the Arab Israeli public, especially the younger generation, want to find ways to become an integral part of everything that is happening in Israel – in academia, the economy, education and also in politics. But they have yet to be given the opportunity with respect to the latter.
This can be attributed to the positions and ideological perceptions held so far by Arab elected officials, MKs and whoever was or is in power. In Israeli politics, negotiating with the Arab parties will make you a pariah. We all remember all too well how Blue and White Benny Gantz gritted his teeth and was even embarrassed of the fact the Joint Arab List endorsed him following last year's elections.
All parties, Arab and Zionist, are in need of some serious soul searching and they would be wise to learn to work together, because politics is the art of the possible, and there is never an absolute "no."
Whichever party forms the next government, whether in this election or after a fifth one, must see the representatives of the Arab public as an integral part of all coalition negotiations because in politics a price is paid, and the price for forming the next government will be integrating officials representing 20% of the public everywhere – even in the next government
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
