@cbsnews: Arab-Israeli voters who once boycotted elections are heading to the polls hoping to change a political system they have long felt excluded from. CBS News’ @Dov Lieber reports from Baqa al-Gharbiyye, an Arab-Israeli town in northern Israel, where voters are preparing to cast their ballots. More than 2 million Arab citizens make up roughly one-fifth of Israel’s population, but historically low turnout has limited their political influence. Now, amid rising violence, discrimination and deepening tensions between Jewish and Arab communities since the October 7, 2023, attacks, some say they can no longer afford to stay on the sidelines. The election comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a challenge to his grip on power following years of war and political turmoil. With no single party expected to secure the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority, Arab-led parties could play a pivotal role in determining who forms the next government.

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Monday 26 October 2026 12:37:24 GMT