Shas Chairman Deri Issues Urgent Call Amidst Low Voter Turnout
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri issued an urgent call to the ultra-Orthodox and right-wing public due to alarmingly low voter turnout in their strongholds, stating numbers not seen since 1977. He contrasted this with high turnout in left-wing and Arab communities. Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir echoed concerns about Arab sector turnout and urged right-wing voters to go to the polls to preserve a Jewish and Zionist state.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri warned of very low voter turnout in right-wing strongholds, not seen since 1977.
- Deri noted high voter turnout in left-wing areas and Arab communities, contrasting with complacency in his base.
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also called for increased right-wing voter turnout, citing high Arab sector participation.
- Ben-Gvir urged voters to choose his Otzma Yehudit party to maintain a Jewish and Zionist state.
- Deri framed the election as a struggle for Judaism and adherence to Torah scholars' opinions.
Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri issued an urgent appeal on Tuesday to the ultra-Orthodox and right-wing public, expressing deep concern over low voter turnout in their strongholds compared to high participation in left-wing and Arab communities. Deri stated that based on Shas's data, such low numbers in right-wing areas have not been seen since 1977. He noted long queues at polling stations in Bedouin towns in the Negev and in Tel Aviv, contrasting this with what he described as complacency among their own supporters.
Deri's call comes amid reports of a significant turnout gap between different sectors. A senior ultra-Orthodox figure told 'Kikar HaShabbat' that the situation is not a "Gevald campaign" but a genuine low, with numbers unseen before, while other sectors are seeing sharp increases. Earlier, Deri cast his vote in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood, urging everyone to vote to influence the outcome, framing the election as a struggle for Judaism and adherence to Torah scholars' opinions. He warned that tens of thousands have come from abroad to vote against the current government and harm Torah values, necessitating a strong response.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir also made an emergency appeal to right-wing voters from the entrance of Kafr Qasim. He highlighted the "crazy" and unprecedented voter turnout in the Arab sector, urging Israelis to vote to ensure the country remains Jewish and Zionist, and not fall into the hands of figures like Mansour Abbas and Ahmed Tibi. Ben-Gvir specifically called on voters to choose the "B" option, representing his Otzma Yehudit party, for a right-wing, Zionist, and Jewish government.
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