Full Breakdown
Yoav Segalovitz Becomes First Jewish Candidate on Ra'am Slate
By Drooid · · How we work
Background: Security Work in Arab Communities
Yoav Segalovitz, a former police officer who has served in the Knesset for Yesh Atid since 2020, was deputy minister for public security in the 2021-2022 government. In that role he oversaw a program aimed at reducing violent crime in Israel’s Arab towns, which contributed to a modest decline in homicides in 2021 after a steady rise since 2014. The program was later discontinued by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, after which killings in Arab communities have risen sharply.
Election Prospects and Party Position
Ahead of the scheduled general election on October 27, Segalovitz left Yesh Atid to join Ra’am, one of two Arab lists contesting the vote, becoming the first Jewish candidate on the party’s ticket. By contrast, the three other Arab parties—Hadash, Ta’al and Balad—are expected to run on a joint slate that will remain in opposition. Polls project Ra’am will secure four to six of the 120 Knesset seats, a count that could still make the party a kingmaker in coalition negotiations.
Data on Violence in Arab Communities
The Abraham Initiatives watchdog reports that 172 Arabs have been murdered this year. He argues that such insecurity hampers economic, educational and cultural development.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The state of personal security in Arab society is a catastrophe. Our statistics are on a par with the worst countries in South America,” — Yoav Segalovitz
- “The other Arab parties don’t say that. They oppose it,” — Yoav Segalovitz
