Pro-Netanyahu bloc holds big lead with just over a quarter of ballots counted, though results likely to change
With 25.2% of ballot boxes counted as of 4:05 a.m., partial results published by the Central Elections Committee give the pro-Netanyahu bloc 63 seats and the anti-Netanyahu bloc 49. The remaining eight seats are held by the nonaligned Joint List of predominantly Arab factions.
The parties currently below the 3.25% threshold are Ra’am (3.2%), Reservists (2.9%), People of Israel (1.8%), Charedi Public (0.2%).
The results are partial and will change as counting continues. Votes cast in double envelopes, including those of soldiers, are counted later.
The Times of Israel reports partial election results accurately and warns twice that they will change. In its own voice it describes the Joint List only as "predominantly Arab factions" and never uses the word Palestinian, so a reader is not told that the list represents Palestinian citizens of Israel.
Erases a people's national identity
Serious
“Joint List of predominantly Arab factions”
Why this matters
The words "predominantly Arab factions" are the outlet's only description of the Joint List and of the citizens it represents. The label is ethnic only and comes in the outlet's own voice, not in a quotation or an official party name.
The impression it gives
A reader learns that the list is Arab and nothing more. They are given no sign that the voters and parties behind those eight seats belong to the Palestinian people.
The context
Survey evidence supplied with this reading shows that most Arab citizens of Israel describe themselves in terms that include Palestinian. In Sammy Smooha's 2019 survey, 61.9% chose such a description. Arab and Palestinian identities coexist. The entry never uses the word Palestinian anywhere, so the Arab label is the only identity the reader is given for these citizens.
How we know
On the recordIn Sammy Smooha's April-June 2019 survey of 718 adult Arab citizens of Israel, including Druze and Bedouin, 61.9% chose a self-description containing Palestinian. This is historical survey evidence, not a 2026 percentage or proof of any individual's identity. Arab and Palestinian identities can coexist.newscord.org (opens in a new tab)