Arab Voter Turnout Soars as Ultra-Orthodox Turnout Hits Historic Low
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Voter turnout in Israel's Arab sector has surged to record highs, while the ultra-Orthodox community is experiencing a historic low. Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued urgent calls for increased turnout, particularly among right-wing and Likud voters, citing concerns about the high Arab turnout and potential election manipulation. Netanyahu specifically urged voters to mobilize all family members to ensure their votes are cast.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Arab sector voter turnout is at record highs, while ultra-Orthodox turnout is at a historic low.
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged right-wing voters to increase turnout, citing high Arab sector numbers.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it an "emergency call," warning of attempts to "steal the elections."
- Netanyahu highlighted significantly higher turnout in the Arab sector compared to the Jewish sector.
- Arab party leaders are quoted saying their voters are "flocking to the polling stations."
- Netanyahu urged voters to mobilize all family members to cast their ballots.
Voter turnout in Israel's Arab sector is reaching unprecedented highs, while the ultra-Orthodox community is experiencing a historic low, according to reports on election day. A senior figure in the ultra-Orthodox community described the situation as "not a "Gevald" campaign, we are truly in a slump, with low percentages we haven't known, while in other sectors the numbers are sharply rising."
The disparity is stark, with Arab population centers reporting exceptionally high voter engagement, contrasting with slow movement and unusually low turnout at ultra-Orthodox polling stations. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the entrance to Kafr Qasim, issuing an urgent appeal to right-wing voters. "We are here at the entrance to Kafr Qasim, and you understand what all of Israel understands today: voter turnout in the Arab sector is crazy, like never before," Ben-Gvir stated. He urged voters to support "B" (referring to his party, Otzma Yehudit) to ensure the country remains "Jewish and Zionist" and not "in the hands of Mansour Abbas and Ahmed Tibi."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the turnout gap, issuing a strong warning after casting his vote. "My brothers and sisters, Likud voters, this is an emergency call. Because they are trying to steal the elections from us," he declared. Netanyahu highlighted data he claimed showed a significant disparity, stating, "Turnout in the Arab sector in the south is incomparably higher than in the Jewish sector. You must go out and vote." He quoted Arab party leaders, including Sa'adeh, Ahmed Tibi, and Mansour Abbas, saying, "Our voters are flocking to the polling stations." The Prime Minister implored voters to mobilize all family members, "Check that everyone comes: grandfather, grandmother, aunt and uncle, neighbor and neighbor, no one stays home."
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