Arab voters attract greater attention than in previous Knesset elections

Most major media outlets in Israel are now watching political developments in the Arab sector more closely than in the past and are reporting on them with greater frequency.

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
A WOMAN walks past campaign posters for the Arab-led Hadash party in the Israeli-Arab city of Umm al-Fahm (photo credit: REUTERS)
A WOMAN walks past campaign posters for the Arab-led Hadash party in the Israeli-Arab city of Umm al-Fahm
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Some political pundits are forecasting that the Arab representation in the Knesset will be greater than ever before, not only because of the joint Arab list, but also because there are Arabs on the lists of other parties.
And, if the High Court ratifies the disqualification of Balad MK Haneen Zoabi from running in the next elections, the ruling may well provoke Arab voters to come out in far greater numbers to vote for the Arab list, which could result in more mandates than anticipated.
Most of the country’s major media outlets are now watching political developments in the Arab sector more closely than in the past and are reporting on them with greater frequency.
The Israel Broadcasting Authority is well aware of changes taking place in the Arab society and the impact that these changes could have on Israeli society in general.
At the initiative of Yasser Atilla, the head of Arabic media at the IBA, it has organized a conference on communications and economy in the Arab sector to be held Monday, February 16, at the Golden Crown Hotel in Nazareth.
In line with its title, the conference will focus largely on politics, democracy and the new realities in the Arab sector, and is designed to attract more Arab listeners to Israel Radio’s broadcasts in Arabic.
There will be three panels, the first of which will be moderated by Israel Radio’s political reporter Yoav Krakovsky, who will explore the nature of communications during the election campaign. The second panel on investments in the Arab sector will be moderated by Israel Radio’s Knesset reporter Ran Binyamini, and the third on what can be expected as an outcome of the elections will be moderated by Arab affairs reporter Eran Singer, together with Nadir Majala.
Part of the conference will be broadcast on Reshet Bet from 2 p.m.