Israeli Election Draws Scrutiny From Arab Media on Vote Power

Regional media across the Middle East are focusing on the role of Arab voters in Israel's upcoming election, with outlets in Egypt, Iran, and Qatar analyzing the potential impact on the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu. The election, scheduled for Tuesday, is being watched closely for its effect on the balance of power in the Knesset and the future of the two-state solution.

Egypt's Alghad TV featured comments from Hadash politician Shadi Shweiri, who described the election as a chance for Arab citizens to advance their demands. Shweiri, a member of the Joint List alliance, argued that Arab parties should back a leader willing to stop military operations and improve economic conditions. He accused the current government of racism and stated that the right to vote was a condition for Israel's entry into the United Nations in 1948, not a gesture of goodwill.

Shweiri told the network that Arab citizens face a choice between the bad and the worse. He noted that while Israel is often described as a democracy, the voting right was secured through international pressure. He added that the current administration could act outside the bounds of legitimacy, but the right itself remains secure.

In Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei downplayed the election's impact on bilateral relations. Speaking at a Monday press conference, he said the outcome makes no difference to Tehran. Baghaei criticized the concept of elections in occupied territories, describing them as a competition between groups to commit more evil. He stated that it does not matter who leads a regime that has achieved nothing but killing and genocide.

Despite the official stance, Iranian state-affiliated media including Tasnim News Agency have reported on polls regarding Likud's chances. In Qatar, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed published an analysis by Beirut Hammoud, a Palestinian journalist. She warned of a potential political stalemate that could leave Netanyahu in a caretaker role. Hammoud argued that opposition politicians differ from Netanyahu only in their methods of managing the conflict, calling his current administration a government of ruin.

Lebanon's Al-Khanadeq, a pro-Hezbollah outlet, alleged that Netanyahu's camp is using AI-generated material to portray the Arab vote as a liability. The article cited campaign images showing Gadi Eisenkot alongside Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas. The analysis claimed this strategy targets the soft right and discourages Jewish voters who want a change but fear a government based on Arab partnership. It also noted that 2,000 activists were deployed to deter Arab citizens from voting.

Dr. Ahmed Youseff, a former adviser to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, wrote for the Palestinian site Al Quds that the election timing aligns with US midterms. Youseff argued that a victory for Eisenkot could reopen diplomatic doors and force accountability for security failures. He stated that while hopes for policy change exist, the true value of the elections will be measured by whether they lead to concrete steps to curb war and restore rights.