Former Knesset member Yousef Jabareen was elected leader of the Arab majority Hadash party with 82 percent of the vote in internal primaries, becoming its first new chairman in more than a decade. He will replace Ayman Odeh, who has led the party since 2015 and will step down at the end of the current Knesset term. Jabareen previously served in parliament from 2015 to 2021.

In his victory remarks, Jabareen called for the revival of the Joint List alliance of Arab parties, saying it is 'what the moment demands.' Hadash has pushed to reestablish the alliance to strengthen Arab political representation ahead of expected early elections, as community leaders face mounting pressure to address violent crime and secure greater government resources.

Jabareen pledged to work to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies, while promoting equality, democracy and peace in partnership with Jewish democratic forces. His election signals a geographic and political shift for Hadash toward the Triangle region and the Negev, though the new party slate notably lacks a woman in its top four positions for the first time in over a decade.