Arab bloc splits ahead of Israeli elections in November

By JOSEPH KRAUSS
Associated Press

A bloc of Arab parties has split ahead of Israel’s fifth elections in less than four years, a move that could dilute the minority’s political influence and aid former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s return to power. The nationalist Balad party will run separately from the other two parties in the Joint List, a decision made at the last minute late Thursday before a deadline for submitting electoral lists. If it does not meet the minimum threshold, Balad would not enter the next parliament and its votes would essentially be wasted. The disunity could also dampen overall turnout in the vote among Israel’s Arab minority, which accounts for 20% of Israel’s population.