Netanyahu targets Arab voters, warns of left-wing government with Muslim Brotherhood

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu targeted Arab voters in the final hours of polling day, warning his supporters that they could wake up to “a left-wing government and the Muslim Brotherhood” if they did not vote for Likud, as he appeared in a TikTok livestream to mobilize voters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intensified his incitement against Arab citizens in the final hours of polling day in the Knesset elections. In a video showing images of lines of voters, he said: “This is a record vote in the ballot boxes of the Arab parties. Nothing like this has ever happened before.”

Netanyahu urged Likud supporters to leave their homes and encourage their relatives and neighbors to vote, saying: “Otherwise, tomorrow morning we will wake up to a left-wing government, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the destruction of the state.” He called on his supporters not to vote for what he described as the “fake right,” referring to Avigdor Lieberman and other right-wing parties.

Live TikTok broadcast

In an unusual move, Netanyahu appeared in a live broadcast on TikTok to urge Israelis to go to the polls and vote for the Likud party.

Earlier, Netanyahu wrote that “huge lines” had formed at polling stations in Arab communities, warning: “If we do not wake up now, we will find ourselves facing a government led by Mansour Abbas and Ahmad Tibi.”

Eizenkot: Lies and intimidation

Opposition leader Gadi Eizenkot, meanwhile, said Netanyahu had “returned to his familiar tricks, lies and intimidation to mobilize the public.” Mansour Abbas, head of the United Arab List, had accused Netanyahu of lying and inciting against his party.

The election saw historically high turnout, reaching 66.7% by 6 p.m. local time, with notable participation in Arab towns. Polling stations are set to close at 10 p.m., with exit poll results to be announced immediately after the ballots close.

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