Arab Parties Emerge as Kingmakers in Israel as Netanyahu Faces Challenge

Arab political parties could play a decisive role in determining Israel’s next government as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc struggles to secure a parliamentary majority. With no alliance reaching the required number of seats, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot may need to consider support from Arab parties to form a government.

Israel’s parliament, known as the Knesset, has 120 seats. Any party or coalition needs the support of at least 61 lawmakers to form a government.

According to the election figures provided, Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc has secured 53 seats, while the alliance led by his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, has won 48. Arab political parties have collectively secured 19 seats.

The numbers have placed Arab parties in a potentially influential position. Their support could help the opposition cross the majority threshold and challenge Netanyahu’s political leadership.

Why Are Arab Parties Important in Israel’s Government Formation?

Arab parties have historically played an important role in Israeli parliamentary politics, particularly when major Jewish political blocs fail to secure a clear majority.

Their support can take two forms. They can join a governing coalition directly or support a minority government from outside without becoming part of the cabinet.

Both approaches have previously been used in Israel. The possibility of a similar arrangement has returned to the political debate as opposition parties explore options for forming the next government.

Knesset Numbers Give Arab Parties a Crucial Role

The Knesset has 120 members, making 61 seats the minimum required for a parliamentary majority.

Based on the reported figures, Eisenkot’s 48-seat alliance would need additional support to reach that threshold. The 19 seats held by Arab parties could provide a possible route to a majority.

However, parliamentary arithmetic does not automatically translate into a political agreement. Differences over security, public policy and the role of Arab parties in government could complicate negotiations.

2021: Ra’am Became Part of an Israeli Government for the First Time

A major development in Israeli politics took place in June 2021, when the Ra’am party, led by Mansour Abbas, became the first independent Arab party to join a governing coalition in Israel.

Ra’am supported an eight-party alliance that brought together right-wing, centrist and left-wing Jewish political parties. The coalition’s primary objective was to end Benjamin Netanyahu’s long period in power.

Following the formation of the government, right-wing leader Naftali Bennett became prime minister. Centrist leader Yair Lapid later took over the position.

Mansour Abbas Defended Cooperation With Jewish Parties

Mansour Abbas defended his decision to join the coalition, arguing that Arab political parties should not remain permanently in opposition.

He maintained that cooperation with Jewish-led parties could help Arab communities secure greater government funding and improve public services.

His priorities included tackling crime in Arab communities and improving essential infrastructure such as roads and schools.

The 2021 arrangement demonstrated that Arab parties could become influential partners in Israeli government formation rather than remaining outside the governing system.

Arab Parties Also Supported Rabin’s Government in the 1990s

Arab political parties had supported a Jewish-led government even before the 2021 coalition.

Between 1992 and 1995, the government of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin received parliamentary support from Hadash and the Arab Democratic Party, known as Mada.

Unlike Ra’am in 2021, these parties did not formally join the government. Instead, they provided external support to Rabin’s minority government on important parliamentary matters.

Their support helped the government advance significant political decisions, including the historic Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians.

The arrangement established an earlier example of Arab parties influencing Israeli government policy without holding cabinet positions.

What Are Arab Parties Demanding in 2026?

The reported election results have once again placed Arab political parties at the centre of government formation discussions.

Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas has indicated that his party is willing to join a government led by Gadi Eisenkot.

Meanwhile, Joint List leader Yousef Jabarin has expressed support for a different arrangement. His party could support a minority government from outside but does not intend to join the government.

The Joint List has reportedly prioritised action against crime in Arab communities and solutions to other social and economic problems affecting Arab citizens.

These demands could become important issues in any negotiations with opposition parties.

Political Leaders Remain Divided Over Arab Party Support

Despite the potential parliamentary advantage, cooperation with Arab parties remains politically sensitive in Israel.

Eisenkot has reportedly rejected the possibility of forming a government dependent on Arab party support. Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman have also opposed such an arrangement.

However, centrist politician Yair Golan has supported cooperation with Arab citizens in government formation.

These differences could make negotiations difficult, even if the parliamentary numbers appear favourable to the opposition.

White House Reportedly Seeks Political Understanding

The reported political developments have also attracted attention from Washington. The White House is reportedly working towards an alliance arrangement between Eisenkot and Netanyahu.

Such an agreement could change the political calculations surrounding government formation and reduce the immediate importance of Arab parties in determining the next administration.

For now, the political situation remains dependent on negotiations, coalition commitments and the positions taken by individual parties.

Arab parties have once again emerged as potentially important players in Israeli politics. Whether they join a coalition or support a minority government from outside could shape the country’s next political arrangement.

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