Israeli-Arab backed ‘Joint List’ emerges as third largest political group

World Today

Israel’s Arab citizens make up 20 percent of the country’s population. Their representation in Israel’s parliament has been called a political sideshow, but as March 17th elections approach, that is changing. Stephanie Freid filed this report from Israel.

Highlights:

  • 3 Arab parties and 1 Jewish-Arab party have united together under one banner: the Joint List. Preliminary polls show they could finish third in the upcoming election.
  • Knesset member and list party candidate Haneen Zoabi is controversial among Jews for her forthright assertions regarding Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
  • Voter turnout rates within the community generally run around 50 percent. This year, analysts say a full 70 percent may turn up at the ballot boxes on election day.