Four women at forefront of Israel’s Arab political surge

Newly elected Israeli MP Iman al-Khatib, greeting supporters in Nazareth, shook hands with women but tapped her heart with her right hand for men.

The gestures signalled the Muslim identity of the woman who is about to become Israel’s first hijab-wearing MP and part of a group of Arab women poised to expand their voice in Israel’s male-dominated politics.

All major parties in the Jewish state are led by men, with women making up only 25 percent of lawmakers in the Knesset, or parliament.

But in March 2 elections, one party managed to double its female representation, albeit from a low base.

The predominantly Arab Joint List won 15 of the Knesset’s 120-seats, the alliance’s best-ever performance and up from 13 during stalemate election last September.

The List also counts four women among its incoming MPs, up from two in September.

Khatib will be part of the Knesset’s largest ever contingent of Arab women, including three Joint List colleagues and a Druze woman from the centrist Blue and White party.

The List draws most of its support from Israel’s roughly 20-percent Arab minority—who have Israeli citizenship but are Palestinian by heritage.

Israel’s Arab minority complain of discrimination and accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of treating them as second-class citizens.

 

Four women at forefront of Israels Arab political surge

Newly elected Israeli MP Iman al-Khatib, greeting supporters in Nazareth, shook hands with women but tapped her heart with her right hand for men. The gestures signalled the Muslim identity of the woman who is about to become Israels first hijab-wearing MP and part of a group of Arab women poised to expand their voice in Israels male-dominated politics. All major parties in the Jewish state are led by men, with women making up only 25 percent of lawmakers in the Knesset, or parliament. But in March 2 elections, one party managed to double its female representation, albeit from a low base. The predominantly Arab Joint List won 15 of the Knessets 120-seats, the alliances best-ever performance and up from 13 during stalemate election last September. The List also counts four women among its incoming MPs, up from two in September. Khatib will be part of the Knessets largest ever contingent of Arab women, including three Joint List colleagues and a Druze woman from the centrist Blue and White party. The List draws most of its support from Israels roughly 20-percent Arab minoritywho have Israeli citizenship but are Palestinian by heritage. Israels Arab minority complain of discrimination and accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of treating them as second-class citizens.