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Arab-led parties could decide Israeli election if rivals agree to partner

Ra'am and the Joint List are projected to win 13 seats, but Netanyahu and his main rivals rule out coalitions with them.

Updated Oct 22, 2026 · 10:25 UTC4 reports

The short version

  • Ra'am and the Joint List, which represent Palestinian citizens of Israel, are projected to win 13 seats in the Oct. 27 election.[Al Jazeera · PBS NewsHour]
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rivals have said they will not form a coalition with Arab-led parties after the vote.[Al Jazeera · PBS NewsHour]
  • The Central Elections Committee's September 23 disqualification of both Arab lists was overturned by the Supreme Court on October 2.[Al Jazeera]

Key facts

  • Israel's national election is scheduled for October 27.[Al Jazeera · PBS NewsHour]
  • Ra'am and the Joint List are projected to win a combined 13 seats.[Al Jazeera]
  • Palestinian citizens of Israel make up about 20% of the population.[Al Jazeera · PBS NewsHour]
  • Netanyahu and his chief rivals have said they will not form coalitions with Arab-led parties after the vote.[Al Jazeera · PBS NewsHour]
  • Ra'am became the first Arab party to enter an Israeli government in 2021.[Al Jazeera · PBS NewsHour]
  • The Central Elections Committee voted on September 23 to disqualify both Arab-led lists and two individual candidates.[Al Jazeera]
  • The Supreme Court overturned those disqualifications on October 2.[Al Jazeera]

What remains uncertain

  • Reporting describes the Supreme Court ruling as both unanimous and a 7-2 majority, so the vote split is unclear.[Al Jazeera]
  • Seat figures are pre-election projections, and whether Arab-led parties will influence the government is unknown.[Al Jazeera · PBS NewsHour]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.