Israel has ‘historic’ opportunity to change direction, says leader of Arab coalition

Yousef Jabareen says he is ready to join forces with opposition bloc to oust Benjamin Netanyahu after winning record number of seats in Knesset

The leader of Israel’s main Palestinian coalition, which holds the balance of power after Tuesday’s elections, has said the country is facing a historic opportunity to change direction.

Yousef Jabareen, the head of the Joint List, said he was ready to join forces with the “Change” bloc to oust Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition, and to wrest control of the Knesset.

Turnout among Arab Israelis (Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, 20% of the population) more than doubled to about 80%, transforming the political landscape. Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza had no vote.