NAZARETH, Israel (AP) — Electoral gains made by Arab parties in Israel, and their decision to endorse one of the two deadlocked candidates for prime minister, could give them new influence in parliament.

Election results this month confirms the Arab alliance as Israel's third largest bloc in parliament.

But Arab politicians face a dilemma dating back to Israel's founding: How to participate in a system that they say relegates them to second-class citizens and oppresses their Palestinian brethren in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The Joint List of Arab parties vows to remain outside any government, even while throwing support behind Benjamin Netanyahu's rival for prime minister, Benny Gantz.

No Arab party has ever sat in an Israeli government, and none of Israel's main parties have invited them to do so.