Jerusalem, 29 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Arab voter turnout surged in several Jerusalem neighborhoods during Tuesday’s Knesset election, with preliminary Central Elections Committee figures showing particularly sharp increases in the capital’s south and center.
In Tzur Baher, in southern Jerusalem, more than 55% of eligible voters cast ballots, out of approximately 1,900 eligible voters. In the previous election, turnout in the area was just 16%, with 226 votes cast from approximately 1,400 eligible voters. Turnout in the 24th Knesset election was approximately 13%.
Beit Safafa recorded an even higher rate. In the latest election, 3,379 votes were counted from approximately 5,000 eligible voters, representing nearly 68% turnout. By comparison, the neighborhood recorded 1,555 votes from approximately 4,200 eligible voters in the previous election, a turnout rate of about 37%.
Northern Jerusalem’s Arab neighborhoods also reported significant increases, with most votes going to the Joint List.
