Politics · Other · 1 hr ago
Arab turnout contributes to record Israeli election participation
Israel’s October 27 legislative election drew 77.7% turnout, the highest national participation since 1999.
Exit polls put turnout among Arab citizens at nearly 80%, though official Arab turnout figures are still pending.
In southern Arab and Bedouin communities, voters cited home demolitions, gun violence and the reversal of funding agreements as reasons for their concern.
Some residents blamed National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s policies, while others said the government’s actions had brought Arab Israelis together.
The vote followed years of upheaval, including the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and political disputes over Arab parties’ place in government.
Many Arab voters said they wanted a role in government, and some expected politicians to seek Mansour Abbas’s support after the count.
The official turnout figures are expected from Israel’s Central Elections Committee.
Israel’s October 27 legislative election recorded turnout of 77.7%, the highest since 1999.
High participation by Arab citizens was a major factor in the surge, with Channel 12 exit polls estimating their turnout at nearly 80%.
Central Elections Committee figures showed high turnout in non-Jewish communities, including several Bedouin villages.
Arab voters interviewed in Rahat cited home demolitions, gun violence and reduced community budgets among their concerns.
- Who
- Israeli voters, including Arab citizens and Bedouin communities.
- What
- Israel’s legislative election recorded 77.7% overall turnout, with Arab participation contributing to the rise.
- When
- October 27, 2026.
- Where
- Israel, including Arab towns and Bedouin communities in the south.
- Why
- Arab voters cited concerns including home demolitions, gun violence and reduced community budgets; the sources also describe political changes after October 7, 2023.
Arab voters interviewed in the article
Itamar Ben Gvir and the current government
Home demolitions
Arab voters interviewed in the article
Voters in Rahat criticized the increase in demolitions of Bedouin homes under Ben Gvir.
Itamar Ben Gvir and the current government
The sources do not state Ben Gvir’s or the government’s response.
Community safety
Arab voters interviewed in the article
Voters criticized the failure to curb gun violence in Arab society.
Itamar Ben Gvir and the current government
The sources do not state the government’s response.
Political inclusion
Arab voters interviewed in the article
Some Arab voters said they wanted to be part of the government.
Itamar Ben Gvir and the current government
The article says coalition and opposition politicians had vowed during the campaign not to sit with Arab parties.
The Hamas massacre and its aftermath formed part of the political upheaval described as affecting voting patterns.
The Central Elections Committee reported turnout of 64% in the Bedouin village of Atuana, the highest in the country at that time.
Israel held its legislative election, recording overall turnout of 77.7%.
The Hindu reported Channel 12 exit polls estimating Arab voter turnout at nearly 80%.
- Overall turnout
- 77.7%
- Previous record comparison
- Highest turnout since 1999
- Estimated Arab turnout
- Nearly 80%, according to Channel 12 exit polls
- Highest early-afternoon local turnout
- Atuana, 64%
- Election date
- October 27, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
We hate Ben Gvir but are also grateful to him
He’s united Arab Israelis.
I’ve voted dozens of times and never seen a crowd like this at the polling station.
In the past, my wife and daughters wouldn’t have voted. But the country is in such bad hands that everyone is voting today.