Naftali Bennett. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

With its support rising rapidly amongst many Israelis in polls, the new HaBayit HaYehudi (Jewish Home) party is now turning to an unlikely place, Israel’s Arab community, to continue its ascendance.

Political activists from Jewish Home have been reaching out to Arab Christians, Druze and Bedouin communities for support in the upcoming Israeli general election.

A rally for HaBayit HaYehudi in the Israeli town of Nahariya, drew dozens of new representatives from Arab Christian and Druze towns in the northern Galilee region. Many of the new representatives previously served in the IDF or in civilian national service.

While most of Israel’s 1.6 million Arab population are Muslim and shun the IDF and national service, Arabs from minority groups such as the Christians, Bedouin and Druze are generally more supportive of the Jewish state and serve in the military, which is seen as a key component of integration into Israeli society.

Although appealing to Arab-Israeli groups may seem surprising to some, HaBayit HaYehudi’s leader Naftali Bennett has made national integration a core component of his party’s platform.

“The Jewish Home party is an open home to any Israeli citizen who loves his or her country and is willing to perform national service, whether military or civilian,” Bennett said at the rally in Nahariya, Israel National News reported.