Changes expected in Palestinian Knesset representation
There appears to be a good chance that the Joint List will not be the only party vying to represent the interests of Palestinian citizens of Israel in April elections for the next Knesset.
Palestinian citizens of Israel are expected to send an entirely different set of politicians to the Knesset in the upcoming parliamentary elections, due to take place April 9. They are currently represented by the Joint List, led by Ayman Odeh, with one Jewish and 12 Arab Knesset members. Political observers estimate that at least two, and possibly three, Arab lists will be announced before the deadline to register at the end of February.
One new party likely to participate is Arab Home. According to a Dec. 31 press release by the attorney Ayman Abu Rayya, the party's founder, Arab Home would join the governing coalition no matter who heads this coalition. No Arab party or list has ever been invited to join an Israeli government in the state's 70 years of existence.
