Netanyahu alarmed by high voter turnout in Arab areas, urges Jewish voters to cast ballots
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern over rising voter turnout in Arab-majority areas during Israel’s parliamentary elections and urged his supporters to vote immediately.In posts on social media, Netanyahu said long queues had formed at polling stations in Arab communities and that turnout there was higher than usual, while turnout among right-wing voters remained…
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern over rising voter turnout in Arab-majority areas during Israel’s parliamentary elections and urged his supporters to vote immediately.
In posts on social media, Netanyahu said long queues had formed at polling stations in Arab communities and that turnout there was higher than usual, while turnout among right-wing voters remained low. He called on Likud supporters to leave their homes and bring family members, friends and neighbours to polling stations.
Netanyahu claimed that the future of the Jewish state was at stake and warned that if right-wing voters did not mobilise, Israel could end up with a government supported by Arab parties. He described every vote as crucial and portrayed high Arab turnout as a threat to his political bloc.
Israel’s election committee said turnout reached 55.7 per cent in the first nine hours of voting, the fastest pace on record. Arab citizens make up about 21 per cent of Israel’s population.
Arab politicians denounced Netanyahu’s remarks as racist and inflammatory, while opposition leaders said the prime minister was laying the groundwork to reject the results if his bloc loses the election.
