# Israel’s Arab minority votes for change

> Arab Israelis see election as existential threat to their future.
- Title: Israel’s Arab minority votes for change · The Straits Times
- Summary: Arab Israelis see election as existential threat to their future. Said Kabat, 55, will vote for the first time in his life as Israel’s Arab minority fears a…
- Keywords: israel, arab israeli, election, right-wing government, majd al-krum, bezalel smotrich, joint list, raam, news, world, Arab, minority
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/keen-for-change-israels-arab-minority-sees-election-as-existential
- Published: 2026-10-18T02:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: israel, arab israeli, election, right-wing government, majd al-krum, bezalel smotrich, joint list, raam, news, world
## Said Kabat’s first vote
55-year-old Said Kabat will vote for the first time in his life on Oct 27.

> But now, I will go out and vote
## Existential threat
Kabat fears a right-wing government will harm Israel’s Arab minority.

> if a right-wing government is returned to power, he fears for the future of Israel’s Arab minority
## Arab minority’s role
Arab Israelis make up 21% of Israel’s population and face discrimination.

> They are descendants of Palestinians who remained within Israel’s borders after the state’s creation in 1948
## Far-right policies
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich push settlement construction in the West Bank and target Arab areas.

> settlement construction in the occupied West Bank has soared
## Voting mobilization
Arab voters traditionally turn out at 53% versus 70% for the country.

> In the last election in November 2022, turnout among Arab and Druze voters was around 53%
## Raam party’s role
Raam could play a kingmaker role in the next Israeli Parliament.

> Raam became the first Arab party to join an Israeli government in a 2021-2022 coalition
## Demolition threats
At least 175 Arab citizens killed in violent crime since 2026.

> Since the start of 2026, at least 175 Arab citizens have been killed in violent crime incidents
## Key takeaway

Said Kabat, 55, will vote for the first time in his life as Israel’s Arab minority fears a right-wing government.