Arab-led parties are on course to win 19 of the 120 seats in Israel’s Knesset, their best result ever, according to figures from the Central Elections Committee reported on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The Joint List is projected to take 12 seats and Ra’am (the United Arab List) 7, after an election on 27 October that saw turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel estimated at around 80 percent.
How the numbers stand
With close to five million votes counted, the Jerusalem Post reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc stood at 53 seats and the opposition bloc led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot at 48. Neither side reaches the 61 seats needed for a majority on its own, which leaves the Arab parties holding a pivotal share of the chamber. The previous high for Arab-led lists was 15 seats, won by the Joint List in March 2020.
Overall turnout was 77.7 percent, the highest since 1999, according to the Central Elections Committee figures cited by Al Jazeera. Palestinian citizens make up about 21 percent of Israel’s roughly 10 million people and have historically voted at lower rates than Jewish Israelis, so the jump in participation is the main story behind the record.
Will Arab parties enter government?
That remains unclear. Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas, already made history in 2021 when it became the first Arab party to join an Israeli governing coalition, which lasted until 2022. Abbas told reporters that both main blocs had approached his party, but he was cautious about the arithmetic: “With the numbers we have now, there is no government.”
Eisenkot’s Yashar party had said during the campaign it would not form a coalition with Arab parties, and he has also ruled out serving under Netanyahu. Analysts quoted by the Jerusalem Post said a minority government backed from outside by Arab members is possible, but opposition to relying on them could block it, and a deadlock could even push Israel toward another election.
Why this matters for Muslim readers
Most Palestinian citizens of Israel are Muslim, and their representation has a direct bearing on issues such as funding for Arab towns, planning and housing permits, policing, and access to holy sites including Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. A larger Arab presence in the Knesset does not by itself change policy, but it gives these communities a stronger voice in committees and in any coalition bargaining.
For wider context on the region, read our reports on eight Muslim-majority nations renewing their joint push on Gaza and Palestinian statehood, the OIC warning over tensions at Al-Aqsa, and Oman’s call for a Gulf non-aggression pact.
What happens next
The figures are still preliminary until the committee certifies the final count. After that, Israel’s president consults party leaders and asks the candidate with the best chance of forming a government to try. Coalition talks are expected to be long, and the Arab parties’ 19 seats will be closely watched in every scenario.
Key facts
- Arab-led parties projected at 19 seats: Joint List 12, Ra’am 7.
- Previous record: 15 seats in March 2020.
- Arab turnout estimated near 80%; national turnout 77.7%.
- Netanyahu bloc 53, Eisenkot-led opposition 48; 61 needed for a majority.
FAQ
Are these the final results?
No. They are based on near-complete counting reported on 28 October; official certification comes later.
Which parties represent Arab citizens?
The main lists in this election were the Joint List, chaired in the Knesset by Ahmad Tibi, and Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas.
Source: Al Jazeera — Arab parties could win record seats in Israeli elections; The Jerusalem Post — Israel election results
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