A majority of Arab Israeli young adults are open to voting for non-Arab parties in the upcoming Knesset elections, according to Arab-Jewish Center for Empowerment, Equality, and Cooperation – Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Economic Development (AJEEC-NISPED), citing a recent survey conducted by Dialog, an Israeli consulting firm.
AJEEC-NISPED, per the organization's website, is made up of a joint team of Arabs and Jews who work to create a society in which Arabs and Jews can coexist while preserving their identity and culture.
The poll, conducted in August, collected data from 257 Arab Israelis aged 18-26.
Sixty percent of respondents said they would consider voting for a non-Arab party if it presented a clear plan to address issues important to them.
Only 48% of respondents said they were loyal exclusively to Arab parties. About 20% said they had no preference regarding party identity, and 9% preferred an Arab party but were also willing to consider other parties.
What issues matter most to the younger generation in Arab society?
Violence and crime were the top concerns among young Arab Israelis, with 55% of respondents identifying them as a key priority when choosing whom to vote for. Employment and income opportunities followed at 22%, while 20% prioritized investment in education and higher education, and 19% cited housing solutions.
The surge in crime and violence across Arab towns and cities, with armed gangs controlling public space, has left many Arab Israeli citizens feeling helpless and under constant anxiety, several members of the Arab community in Israel told The Jerusalem Post in January.
The poll also found that 70% of respondents believe that political parties in Israel do not listen sufficiently to young people in Arab society.
"This survey should be a wake-up call for the entire political establishment," said Suleiman al-Amour, CEO of AJEEC. "Young Arabs in Israel are not asking for much...They want to know who intends to address the crime and violence threatening their personal safety...They are yearning for practical plans, with goals, budgets, and accountability for implementation."
"It is time for the political establishment to stop talking about Arab society and start talking with its young people and its leadership, and above all, to offer them a future," he concluded.
Dana Ben Shimon contributed to this report.