Nearly three-quarters of Arab-Israelis want new political leadership ahead of elections, poll finds

A new survey published Wednesday by the Afkar Institute found that 74% of Arab-Israeli respondents believe their community urgently needs new public figures and political leadership. The poll, conducted among 402 participants, also found that 64% reported lower personal trust in public figures than in the past, and 61% said the younger generation is less willing to trust office holders. The findings come amid growing divisions in Arab politics ahead of the Knesset elections.

A new survey published Wednesday by the Afkar Institute found that 74% of Arab-Israeli respondents believe their community urgently needs new public figures and political leadership to represent it. The poll, conducted among 402 participants from the Arab sector, comes amid growing divisions in Arab politics ahead of the Knesset elections. The findings show a broad crisis of confidence: 64% of respondents strongly or very strongly agreed that their personal trust in public and political figures is lower than it was in the past. Among younger members of Arab society, 61% said the younger generation is less willing than before to trust people holding public office. The survey's organizers noted that 45% of respondents had an academic education, a relatively high proportion that gives significant representation to the views of the educated segment. The findings were published as questions surrounding the future of the Arab parties—including whether they will run together or separately in the elections—continue to dominate political discussion within Arab society. The crisis of confidence could become a significant factor in the election campaign, affecting voter turnout and the ability of current leadership to mobilize support.