HOW TO THINK ABOUT IT

On the margins. Although comprising 20 percent of Israel’s 9 million-strong population, Arabs never had much of a voice. Especially under a Netanyahu-led government that’s prioritized security — and demonized Arabs, especially in the lead-up to this week’s vote — they’ve faced widespread discrimination. Sandwiched between Netanyahu’s pledge to annex parts of the West Bank and President Donald Trump’s own hard tack on the Palestinian Territories, they’ve also been painted as a pro-Palestinian fifth column. That, combined with scattered political parties, helped promote voter apathy; less than half the Arab electorate turned out to vote during elections in April. But pointing to Netanyahu’s anti-Arab incitement as votes were being counted, Odeh said: “There’s a limit.” That’s largely why turnout was up 11 percentage points.

New perks. As opposition leader, Odeh would enjoy privileges that, until recently, would’ve been unimaginable for an Israeli Arab. Besides receiving a state-funded bodyguard and access to security briefings, he’d hold monthly meetings with the prime minister — as well as earn the right to deliver a rebuttal after the leader addresses the Knesset. But not so fast, observers say: Other opposition parties have enough votes to prevent Odeh from becoming opposition leader, a scenario that seems more likely. Still, others believe this week’s results send a resonant message to young Arabs aspiring toward a political future: that they can have a meaningful voice in the legislature. That’s priceless during a time when Israel, hobbled by accusations of human rights violations and political corruption, is coming under increasing fire for its undemocratic tendencies.

Reaching out. To be sure, the Joint List still faces massive limitations. At its core, it’s still a predominantly non-Jewish alliance that supports what many of its Jewish counterparts don’t, such as evacuating settlements in the West Bank and creating a Palestinian state. That means it’s unlikely to gain mass appeal anytime soon. But with Arab political participation on the rise, that leaves both Bibi and Gantz — or any other future Israeli leader, for that matter — in a curious quandary: Double-down on their appeals to right-leaning voters, or try to curry favor with the burgeoning Arab electorate? That the latter is even a possibility reflects how the election results could prove transformative for the future of Israeli politics.

WHAT TO READ

Netanyahu Must Look Israeli Arab Society Straight in the Face, Not Flee From It by Ronit Marzan in Haaretz
“The increase in Arab voter turnout in Tuesday’s election could be seen as a kind of revenge for the racist and exclusionary language of the Netanyahu-led right. But it might also reflect a desire for a partnership with Israeli Jews based solely on merit and self-respect.”

Why Increasing Arab-Israeli Closeness Matters by David Mednicoff in The Conversation
“The threat of Iran and the prevalence of anti-democratic politics is solidifying a long-standing political affinity, and a growing behind-the-scenes alliance, between Israel, Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia’s Arab allies.”

WHAT TO WATCH