Masud Ghnaim (born 1965) is an Israeli Arab politician and community activist. He is best known for his tenure as a member of the Knesset for the United Arab List (Ra'am) from 2009 to 2015 and for his leadership role within the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel.
Early life and education
Masud Ghnaim was born in 1965 in Umm al‑Fahm, a predominantly Arab city in northern Israel. Details regarding his higher‑education institutions and fields of study are not comprehensively documented in widely available encyclopedic sources.
Political career
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Islamic Movement: Ghnaim has been an active member of the Islamic Movement in Israel, aligning with its Northern Branch, which participates in Israel’s political system. He has held leadership positions in the movement’s local structures, particularly in his hometown of Umm al‑Fahm.
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Knesset service: In the 2009 Israeli legislative election, Ghnaim was placed on the United Arab List’s electoral slate and secured a seat in the 14th Knesset. He was re‑elected in the 2013 election, serving in the 15th Knesset. During his parliamentary tenure, he participated in several committees, including those dealing with foreign workers, internal affairs, and internal legislation.
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Policy focus: While in the Knesset, Ghnaim advocated for the civil and socio‑economic rights of Israel’s Arab minority, emphasizing issues such as housing, education, and employment. He also voiced opposition to policies he perceived as discriminatory toward Arab citizens.
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Later activity: Ghnaim lost his parliamentary seat in the 2015 election, when the United Arab List failed to surpass the electoral threshold. Following his departure from the Knesset, he continued to be involved in community affairs and political discourse within the Arab sector of Israel.
Personal life
Masud Ghnaim is reported to be married and has children. Further personal details are not extensively covered in publicly available encyclopedic references.
References
Encyclopedic entries and reputable news outlets covering Israeli politics provide the core information on Ghnaim’s public career. Specific citations are omitted here for brevity.