Iman Yassin Khatib, poised to become the first lawmaker in Israel’s history to wear a hijab or head scarf, which she does as a Muslim, following results of her Arab Joint List party in Israel’s election, holds a traditional Palestinian scarf in Nazareth, Israel March 5, 2020. . REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Analysts cited anger toward Netanyahu and his U.S. ally President Donald Trump as one reason for the surge in Arab voters in this election, the third in a year.
Khatib is one of four women lawmakers among the Joint List’s Knesset members. She belongs to its Islamist faction, Ra’am, which campaigns for more services and rights for Arabs in Israel. She supports the creation of a Palestinian state.
“There is a growing awareness amongst Arab women that we can be active participants in our future,” said Khatib.
“My message to young women: there is a possibility. There is a way. Don’t limit your hopes and dreams.”
—Reuters