The Arab-majority Joint List party has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of inciting against Arab voters as Israelis head to the polls.
Party leader Yousef Jabareen criticised Netanyahu’s claims that Arab voters were “trying to steal the election” and urged supporters to turn out.
“Netanyahu, you continue to incite against Arab citizens and question our legitimacy to vote and influence the political map,” Jabareen said.
The party also accused Netanyahu of sharing AI-generated images presented as genuine polling station scenes, claiming they were intended to discourage Arab voters. The allegation has not been independently verified.
Two activists from Israel’s left-wing Democrats party have been punched in the face at a campaign booth in Holon, with one reportedly losing consciousness.
Video footage shows a man approaching the booth before punching two activists, knocking one to the ground.
The party claims the attacker is linked to far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and says its leader, Yair Golan, has travelled to Holon to meet the victims.
The incident follows an earlier arrest of a knife-carrying man near Golan in Tel Aviv. The Democrats alleged an attempted stabbing, but police denied that claim.
The party blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rhetoric for fuelling violence and said it would not be intimidated.
Voter turnout in two Arab Bedouin communities has already exceeded the figures recorded across the entire 2022 election, according to Israeli journalist Amit Segal.
In Atawna, turnout reached 64 per cent, compared with 41 per cent in 2022.
Among the Kabu’a tribe, turnout stood at 47 per cent, compared with 29 per cent across the whole of the previous election.
The figures, also reported by Israeli news outlet Srugim, come amid reports of increased voter participation in Arab communities.
Israel’s Charedi Public party says it has received hundreds of reports of voter intimidation and harassment at polling stations.
Party leader Moti Leitner claimed activists had been attacked, ballot slips removed and voters threatened.
Videos also showed ultra-Orthodox youths vandalising a party campaign booth and setting election materials on fire in Modiin Illit.
Leitner called on police to take action, warning of further violence and election fraud.
As millions of Israelis head to the polls, families are making the most of election day, which is a public holiday across the country.
Many are visiting leisure spots before or after voting, while local authorities have organised activities for children.
Voter turnout in Israel’s general election has reached 44.9 percent as of 2pm, the highest recorded at that hour since at least 1973.
According to the Central Elections Committee, at least three million Israelis have now cast their ballots, up from 31.5 percent turnout at noon.
The latest figure is also significantly higher than the 38.9 percent recorded at the same time in the 2022 election.
A 94-year-old Israeli man has died after returning from a polling station in Ramat Gan.
Israel Kreis had insisted on going out to vote for Gadi Eisenkot, his daughter Shirley told Ynet.
“I took him by car to vote, and on the way back, as soon as he got out of the car, he collapsed and died at the entrance to the building,” she said.
Families of those killed or taken hostage on October 7 gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv this morning, urging Israelis to vote in memory of those who no longer can.
The families held a minute’s silence at 6.29am, the time the Hamas attacks began in 2023, before calling for a change of government and an independent state inquiry into the attacks.
“On 7 October, that cursed day, the State of Israel abandoned our beloved son Ron,” said Sigal Yehudai, whose son was murdered at the Nova music festival.
Meanwhile, Ruby Chen, father of slain Israeli-American soldier Itay Chen, was confronted outside a polling station in Netanya, where a voter repeatedly called him a “traitor” as he held a photograph of his son.
Czech politician Andrej Babiš has praised his country’s close relationship with Israel and wished Israelis well as they head to the polls.
In a post on X addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Babiš said he valued their dialogue and the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
“I sincerely wish peace, security and a better future for the people of Israel,” he wrote.
He also expressed hope that Israel would continue to be led by a “strong leader”, adding that Czechia’s friendship with Israel would continue “no matter who is in power”.
Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of making unfounded claims about election fraud to prepare for a possible challenge to the results.
“Netanyahu is panicking and has begun making up stories and claiming that the election is being stolen. This is no accident. He is already laying the groundwork to challenge the election results,” the party said in a statement.
The accusation follows repeated claims by Netanyahu that his opponents are trying to “steal the election”, without providing evidence.
Yashar called for a decisive victory over Likud, saying the margin must be large enough to leave no room for disputes over the outcome.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
Prefer Jewish News on Google
