Arab parties are said to be playing the role of kingmakers in Israeli politics. Israel’s parliament is called the Knesset. It has total 120 seats. A party or coalition needs at least 61 seats to form the government. Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition did not win a majority. His coalition got 53 seats. His main rival Gadi Usenkot’s coalition won 48 seats, while Arab parties won 19 seats.

As opposition leader Geddy Eisenkot tries to form a government, questions are being raised about whether Arab parties could join hands with Jewish parties to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This has happened in Israel before. Arab parties have supported Jewish-led parties in two ways. Once by joining the government and once by outside support without joining the government.

The Arab Party was included in the government for the first time in 2021

In June 2021, Ram (United Arab List), led by Mansour Abbas, became the first independent Arab party to join the Israeli government. Ram supported the eight-party alliance. This alliance included right-wing, centrist and left-wing Jewish parties.

The purpose of this coalition was to remove Benjamin Netanyahu from the post of Prime Minister. After this, right-wing leader Naftali Bennett became Prime Minister. Later centrist leader Yair Lapid took over the post. Mansoor Abbas defended the decision, saying that Arab parties should always work together with Jewish parties instead of sitting in opposition. This could provide more budget for Arab communities. Also, it can help curb crime and improve basic facilities like roads, schools.

Even in the 1990s, it supported the government

Even earlier, between 1992 and 1995, Arab parties supported a Jewish-led government. At the time, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s government was supported externally by Hadash and Mada (Arab Democratic Party) in parliament. These parties did not join the government, but their support helped Rabin’s minority government make important decisions. This included the historic Oslo Accords between Israel and Palestine.

In 2026, the role of Arab parties will again become important

61 seats are required to form the government. Ram Party chief Mansoor Abbas has said that his party is ready to join the Eisenkot-led government. At the same time, Joint List leader Yusuf Jabarin said his party may support the minority government from outside, but will not be included in the government. They demand that work be done to prevent crime and other problems in Arab communities.

However, Izenkot has already ruled out the possibility of forming a government with the support of Arab parties. Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman are also against forming a government with Arab parties. Centrist leader Yair Golan, on the other hand, has supported forming a government with Arab citizens. It remains to be seen what role the Arab parties play in forming the government. However, the White House is busy brokering an alliance between Eisenkot and Netanyahu.