Israel's Arab parties could be the kingmakers in the October 27 election if Jewish opposition leaders will partner with them

Mansour Abbas, the dentist-turned-Islamist politician leading the United Arab List party Raam, is shaping up as the decisive force in Israel's October 27 election, with opposition leaders unable to oust Benjamin Netanyahu without his support. Netanyahu has spent months running campaign ads warning Jewish voters that Abbas will become the real power if he loses, yet Abbas's stated priorities focus on crime and housing for Israel's Arab citizens — who make up roughly 20 percent of the population — not on Palestinian statehood. Embassy staff have already begun casting early votes as the campaign enters its final stretch.

Netanyahu's attacks on Abbas are especially charged because Abbas helped oust him from power once before.