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.