Arab Joint List accuses Netanyahu of incitement following Israeli election results

The Arab Joint List has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partners of conducting an incitement campaign against Arab voters following the Knesset elections, arguing that the campaign reflects concerns over the growing political influence of Arab citizens.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Joint List said the campaign was intended to delegitimize Arab political participation following what it described as unprecedented voter turnout and a significant electoral achievement.

The List said Arab voters had mobilized in response to the policies of Netanyahu’s government and its coalition partners, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, citing the war, home demolitions, displacement, incitement and rising crime in Arab communities.

It described election day as a demonstration of political determination, saying voters had rejected attempts to marginalize them and undermine their rights.

“We are here; we have rights, and we possess a voice and a will that no one can erase,” the statement said.

The Joint List argued that the high level of Arab electoral participation had strengthened its political influence and helped prevent Netanyahu’s bloc from securing the 61 parliamentary seats required to form a majority government.

It accused Netanyahu and his coalition of responding to the election results by questioning the legitimacy of Arab votes and attempting to undermine their political representation.

“We are under no obligation to justify our political participation, nor do we require a seal of legitimacy from those who seek to exclude us,” the statement said.

The List maintained that the campaign against Arab voters was not an isolated development but part of a coordinated effort that began months before the elections.

According to the statement, the campaign initially involved attempts to disqualify Arab electoral lists and subsequently included efforts to intimidate voters on election day.

The Joint List said those efforts had continued after the vote through accusations challenging the legitimacy of Arab ballots and the electoral gains achieved by Arab political parties.

It further accused Netanyahu and his allies of preparing the ground to contest election results that did not serve their political interests.

The List emphasised that Arab voters had demonstrated their determination to participate in political decision-making and defend their representation in the Knesset, despite what it described as continuing efforts to exclude and marginalise them.