Poll: 20% of the Arab public will vote for predominantly Jewish parties
By Jack Khoury, 3/9/06

More than one-fifth (20.6 percent) of the Arab public will vote for predominantly Jewish parties in the upcoming elections, according to a survey commissioned by the Al Shams radio station.

The survey polled 512 respondents. Kadima came out on top among the Arab public, receiving 9.9 percent of the vote. The Labor Party followed with 7.5 percent.

The poll showed both Meretz and the Likud receiving 1.6 percent of the Arab public's projected vote.

According to the survey, Arab voters are expected to give non-Arab parties some four seats.

The survey also indicates that 23.7 percent of Arab voters will vote for Hadash, giving the party between three and four seats. Ra'am-Ta'al follows with 19.6 percent of the vote, while Balad is expected to receive 14 percent, or just over two seats.

Seven percent of those surveyed refused to respond and 13 percent said they do not know how they will be voting.

According to the survey, a total of 66 percent of eligible voters intend to exercise their right to vote. The manager of the Jafa Center, A'af Atrash, said that there is a positive correlation between the voting percentage in the Arab sector and the number of seats that will go to the Arab parties.