List of Arab members of the Knesset

Last updated

There have been Israeli Arab members of the Knesset ever since the first Knesset elections in 1949. The following is a list of the 100 past and present members. Some Israeli Druze dispute the label "Arab" and consider Druze to be a separate ethnic group. However, as they speak Arabic as their first language they are still included in this list.

Contents

Current members (10)

Knesset memberParty(s)Knesset(s)Notes
Mansour Abbas mnsvr `bAs2.jpg United Arab List 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 Sunni Muslim
Hamad Amar Hamad Amar, November 2018.jpg Yisrael Beiteinu 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25 Druze
Youssef Atauna Hadash 20, 25
Yasir Hujeirat United Arab List 25
Waleed Alhwashla United Arab List 25
Iman Khatib-Yasin Iman Khatib Yassin.jpg United Arab List 23, 24, 25 Sunni Muslim
Ayman Odeh Ayman Odeh 2021.png Hadash 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 Non-religious (raised Sunni Muslim)
Waleed Taha United Arab List 22, 23, 24, 25
Ahmad Tibi Ahmad Tibi.jpg Ta'al 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 Sunni Muslim
Aida Touma-Suleiman `Aydh tvmA slymAn.jpg Hadash 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Past members

Knesset memberParty(s)Knesset(s)Notes
Ahmed A-Dahar Progress and Development 4, 5
Afu Agbaria Afu Agbaria.jpg Hadash 18, 19
Taleb Abu Arar Talab Abu Arar.jpg United Arab List
Joint List
19, 20 Bedouin
Mahmud A-Nashaf Agriculture and Development 4
Hamad Abu Rabia Flickr - Government Press Office (GPO) - Hammad Abu Rabia.jpg Arab List for Bedouins and Villagers
Alignment
United Arab List
8, 9
Labib Hussein Abu Rokan Labib Hussein Abu Rokan.jpeg Cooperation and Brotherhood 4
Jabar Asakla Joint List 22, 23 Druze
Assad Assad Likud 13
Shafik Assad Dash
Democratic Movement
Ahva
Telem
9
Zeidan Atashi Shinui 9, 11
Juma Azbarga Joint List 20 Bedouin
Mohammad Barakeh Mohammad Barakeh.jpg Hadash 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 Former Deputy Knesset speaker
Zouheir Bahloul Zouheir Bahloul.jpg Zionist Union 20 Sunni Muslim [1]
Rostam Bastuni Mapam 2
Azmi Bishara Azmi Bishara-Cropped.jpg Balad 14, 15, 16, 17
Ahmed Dabbah Dabah.jpg Kadima 18
Abdulwahab Darawshe Alignment
Arab Democratic Party
11, 12, 13, 14
Abdulmalik Dehamshe United Arab List 14, 15, 16 Deputy Knesset speaker
Yussef Diab Cooperation and Brotherhood 4
Seif el-Din el-Zoubi Seif el-Din el-Zubi.jpg Democratic List of Nazareth
Democratic List for Israeli Arabs
Progress and Development
Cooperation and Development
Alignment
United Arab List
1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9,
Hussein Faris Mapam 12
Issawi Frej Issawi Frej.jpg Meretz 19, 20, 21, 24 Sunni Muslim [2]
Basel Ghattas Basel Ghattas.jpg Balad
Joint List
19, 20 Christian
Mazen Ghanaim Mazen Ghnaim (cropped).JPG Ra'am 24
Masud Ghnaim Mas'oud Ghnaim.jpg United Arab List
Joint List
18, 19, 20 Sunni Muslim
Emile Habibi Emile Habibi.jpg Maki
Rakah
2, 3, 5, 6, 7
Haneh Hadad Labor Party 13 Christian
Rafik Haj Yahia One Nation
Labor Party
14
Walid Haj Yahia Walid Haj Yahia.jpg Left Camp of Israel
Meretz
9, 13, 14
Faras Hamdan Fares Hamdan.jpg Agriculture and Development 2, 3
Yussuf Hamis Mapam 3, 4, 5
Said al-Harumi s`yd AlKHrvmy.jpg Joint List
Ra'am
20, 22, 23, 24 Bedouin
Salah-Hassan Hanifes Progress and Work 2, 3 Druze
Akram Hasson Kadima
Kulanu
18, 20 Druze
Nadia Hilou Nadia Hilou.jpg Labor Party 17 Christian
Ibrahim Hijazi Joint List 20 Sunni Muslim
Halil-Salim Jabara Ahdut HaAvoda 5
Hussniya Jabara Hussniya Jabara.jpg Meretz 15 First female Arab MK
Yousef Jabareen Yousef Jabareen 2021.png Joint List
Hadash-Ta'al
Joint List
20, 21, 22, 23 Sunni Muslim
Amin-Salim Jarjora Amin Gargurah portrait.jpg Democratic List of Nazareth 1
Muhamad Kanan United Arab List
Arab National Party
15
Masaad Kassis Democratic List for Israeli Arabs 2, 3
Ayoob Kara Ayoub Kara.JPG Likud 15, 16, 18, 20 Druze, Former Deputy Knesset speaker
Hamad Khalaily Alignment 10
Tawfik Khatib United Arab List
Arab National Party
14, 15
Raleb Majadele Raleb Majadele. April 2008.jpg Labour 16, 17, 18, 19 First Muslim Arab Minister. Minister without Portfolio (2007), Minister of Science, Culture and Sport (2007–2009)
Hashem Mahameed Hadash
Balad
United Arab List
National Unity – National Progressive Alliance
12, 13, 14, 15
Issam Makhoul Issam Makhoul at demonstration.jpg Hadash 15, 16
Ibtisam Mara'ana Ibtisam maraana filming.JPG Labour 24
Mufid Mari Mufid Mari.JPG Blue and White 24 Druze
Abdullah Abu Ma'aruf `bdAllh Abv m`rvp.jpg Joint List 20 Druze
Nawaf Massalha Alignment
Labor Party
One Israel
12, 13, 14, 15 Deputy Minister, Deputy Knesset speaker
Mohammed Miari mHmd my`ry.jpg Progressive List for Peace 11, 12
Jabr Moade Jabr Muadi 1969.jpg Democratic List for Israeli Arabs
Cooperation and Brotherhood
Cooperation and Development
Druze Party
Progress and Development
Alignment
United Arab List
2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Deputy Minister, Druze
Gadeer Mreeh rdyr kmAl mryKH Radir Kamal Marih (cropped).jpg Blue and White
Yesh Atid-Telem
21, 22, 23 Druze
Fateen Mulla Fateen mulla.jpg Likud 21, 23, 24 Druze
Hanna Mwais Hadash 9
Mohamed Naffa Hadash 12 Druze
Said Nafa Saidnafa.jpg Balad 17, 18 Druze
Elias Nakhleh Elias Nakhleh, 1969. D711-052.jpg Progress and Development
Cooperation and Development
Jewish-Arab Brotherhood
Cooperation and Brotherhood
4, 5, 6, 7
Amal Nasser el-Din Amal Nasser el-Din (2).jpg Likud 8, 9, 10, 11 Druze
Diyab Obeid Cooperation and Brotherhood 5, 6, 7
Niven Abu Rahmoun Niven Abu Rahmoun2.jpg Joint List 20
Saleh Saad Zionist Union 20 Druze
Osama Saadi
Osama Saadi.jpg
Joint List
Hadash-Ta'al
Joint List
20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Sunni Muslim
Ahmad Sa'd Hadash 14
Ali Salalha
`ly slAlKHh.jpg
Meretz 24 Druze
Taleb el-Sana Taleb al Sana2009.JPG Arab Democratic Party
United Arab List
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Bedouin
Sondos Saleh Sondos Saleh.png Joint List 23
Saleh Saleem Hadash 13, 14
Ibrahim Sarsur Ibrahim Sarsur.jpg United Arab List 17, 18, 19 Sunni Muslim
Mtanes Shehadeh KHbry hknst mhrSHymh hmSHvtpt bzmn hgSHt hrSHymvt lbKHyrvt lknst h 22 (cropped).jpg Ra'amBalad
Joint List
21, 22, 23 Christian
Sami Abu Shehadeh Sami Abou Shahadeh.png Joint List 22, 23, 24
Shachiv Shnaan Labour
Independence
17, 18 Druze
Saleh Suleiman Progress and Work 3
Hana Sweid Hisham Zreiq Honored by Ramiz Jaraisy.jpg Hadash 17, 18, 19 Christian
Wasil Taha Balad 16, 17
Salah Tarif Salah Tarif (7631373532) (cropped).jpg Alignment
Labor Party
One Israel
12, 13, 14, 15, 16 First Arab Minister (Minister without Portfolio), also Deputy Knesset speaker, Druze
Tawfik Toubi Maki
Rakah
Hadash
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Second longest serving Knesset member (41 years, 5 months and 9 days) after Shimon Peres
Wael Younis Joint List 20
Majalli Wahabi Likud
Kadima
Hatnuah
16, 17, 18 Druze, Former Deputy Knesset speaker, briefly acting President
Muhammed Wattad Alignment
Mapam
Hadash
10, 11
Abd al-Hakim Hajj Yahya Abd al-Hakim Hajj Yahya 1.jpg Joint List
Ra'amBalad
20, 21 Sunni Muslim
Heba Yazbak Ra'amBalad
Joint List
21, 22, 23 Sunni Muslim
Jamal Zahalka Jamal Zhalka2009.JPG Balad
Joint List
16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Abbas Zakour United Arab List 17
Tawfiq Ziad Rakah
Hadash
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Haneen Zoabi Haneen Zoubi cropped.JPG Balad
Joint List
18, 19, 20 Sunni Muslim. [3] First Arab woman elected to the Knesset on an Arab party's list.
Abd el-Aziz el-Zoubi Abd el-Aziz el-Zoubi 1965-11-17.jpg Mapam
Alignment
6, 7, 8 First Arab Deputy Minister
Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi gyydAA rynAvy zv`by (cropped).jpg Meretz 24

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arab citizens of Israel</span> Overview of the ethnic Arab citizens of the State of Israel

Palestinian Arabs are the largest ethnic minority in Israel. They are Israeli citizens of Palestinian heritage and various religions, bilingual in Arabic and Hebrew, and with varying social identities. Since the 1948 exodus, the Palestinians that have remained within Israel's 1948 borders have been colloquially known as "48-Arabs". In Arabic, commonly used terms to refer to Israel's Arab population include both "48-Arab" and 48-Palestinian. In Israel itself, Arab citizens are commonly referred to as Israeli-Arabs or simply as Arabs; international media often uses the term Arab-Israeli to distinguish Arab citizens of Israel from the Palestinian Arabs residing in the Palestinian territories.

Yisrael Beiteinu is a secularist, conservative, nationalist and right-wing political party in Israel. The party's base was originally secular Russian-speaking Israelis, although support from that demographic is in decline. The party describes itself as "a national movement with the clear vision to follow in the bold path of Zev Jabotinsky", the founder of Revisionist Zionism. It has primarily represented immigrants from the former Soviet Union, although it has attempted to expand its appeal to more established Israelis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majalli Wahabi</span> Druze-Israeli politician

Majalli Wahabi is an Druze-Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Likud, Kadima and Hatnuah between 2003 and 2013. He briefly assumed the position of Israel's Acting President due to President Moshe Katzav's leave of absence and Interim President Dalia Itzik's trip abroad in February 2007, making him the first non-Jew and the first Druze to be Israel's acting head of state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salah Tarif</span> Israeli Druze politician

Salah Tarif is a Druze Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset between 1992 and 2006. When appointed Minister without Portfolio by Ariel Sharon in 2001, he became Israel's first non-Jewish government minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayoob Kara</span> Israeli politician

Ayoob Kara is an Israeli Druze politician. He has served as a member of the Knesset for Likud in four spells between 1999 and 2021, and as Minister of Communications.

Progress and Development was an Arab satellite list in Israel.

Cooperation and Brotherhood was an Arab satellite list in Israel.

Cooperation and Development was a short-lived Arab satellite list in Israel.

The Israeli Druze Faction was a short-lived, one-man political faction in Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rameh</span> Local council in Israel

Rameh is an Arab town in the Northern District of Israel. Located east of Nahf and Karmiel, in 2021 it had a population of 7,789. Over half of the inhabitants are Christians, mostly Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic, over a third are Druze and the remainder are Muslims.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Said Nafa</span> Israeli politician

Said Nafa is an Israeli Arab politician and lawyer. A Druze citizen of Israel, he served as a member of the Knesset for Balad between 2007 and 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamad Amar</span> Israeli Druze politician

Hamad Amar is an Israeli Druze politician who currently serves as a member of Knesset for Yisrael Beiteinu since 2022, previously serving from 2009 to 2019 and again from 2019 to 2021. Amar also served as a Minister in the Finance Ministry from 2021 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jabr Muadi</span> Israeli politician (1919–2009)

Sheikh Jabr Muadi was an Israeli Druze politician who served as a member of the Knesset for seven different parties between 1951 and 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Druze in Israel</span> Ethnoreligious minority among Israels Arab citizens

Israeli Druze or Druze Israelis are an ethnoreligious minority among the Arab citizens of Israel.

Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, informally known as the Nation-State Bill or the Nationality Bill, is an Israeli Basic Law that specifies the country's significance to the Jewish people. It was passed by the Knesset—with 62 in favour, 55 against, and two abstentions—on 19 July 2018 and is largely symbolic and declarative in nature. The law outlines a number of roles and responsibilities by which Israel is bound in order to fulfill the purpose of serving as the Jews' nation-state. However, it was met with sharp backlash internationally and has been characterized as racist and undemocratic by some critics. After it was passed, several groups in the Jewish diaspora expressed concern that it was actively violating Israel's self-defined legal status as a "Jewish and democratic state" in exchange for adopting an exclusively Jewish identity. The European Union stated that the Nation-State Bill had complicated the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, while the Arab League, the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Muslim World League condemned it as a manifestation of apartheid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibtisam Mara'ana</span> Palestinian filmmaker and member of Knesset

Ibtisam Mara'ana-Menuhin is an Israeli Arab politician, film director, and producer. She was a member of the Knesset for the Labor Party from 2021 to 2022. Upon her election, she made history in the first Knesset member in a mixed Jewish-Muslim relationship. Mara'ana was not reelected in the 2022 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arabic language in Israel</span> Presence and role of Arabic in Israel

The Arabic language in Israel is spoken natively by over 20 percent of the Israeli population, predominantly by Israeli Arabs, but also by Jews who arrived in Israel from Arab countries. Some refer to the modern Hebrew-influenced Levantine Arabic vernacular as the "Israeli Arabic dialect" or colloquially as Aravrit, a portmanteau of the Hebrew words Ivrit and Aravit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdullah Abu Ma'aruf</span> Israeli Druze doctor and politician

Abdullah Abu Ma'aruf is an Israeli Druze doctor and politician. He served as a member of the Knesset for the Joint List between 2015 and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gadeer Mreeh</span> Israeli journalist and politician (born 1984)

Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh is an Israeli Druze politician and journalist. She became the first Druze woman to anchor a Hebrew-language news program on Israeli television in 2017. In April 2019, she was elected to the Knesset as a member of the Blue and White alliance, making history as the first Druze woman to become a Member of the Knesset. She was subsequently elected to the Knesset as part of the Blue and White alliance in the September 2019 and March 2020 elections. She left Blue and White on 29 March 2020 and joined Yesh Atid. In June 2021, Kamal-Mreeh became the Jewish Agency's first Druze emissary to the U.S., based in Washington D.C.

References

  1. Israeli Arab sportscaster to get into game from inside Knesset Times of Israel, 5 December 2014
  2. International Holocaust Remembrance Day Marked by 54 Knesset Members at Auschwitz The Algemeiner, 27 January 2014
  3. Jason Koutsoukis (16 May 2009). "Voice of equality". The Age. My parents are Muslims. They pray, they fast, they have been to Mecca, but they raised their children to think and feel as liberal, open-minded people.