Tibi's Election Day Outburst Sparks Fierce Feiglin Retort

A dramatic video circulating on social media during election day showed Ahmad Tibi, chairman of the Ta'al party, aggressively confronting election officials at a polling station in Tayibe. Tibi was seen shouting at the officials and repeatedly throwing the phrase "Sit, sit!" at them. The video, shared by journalist Yinon Magal among others, ignited a strong political backlash, particularly from the right, which characterized Tibi's behavior as a "blatant display of power and humiliation of state employees and Jewish officials."

In a sharp response, Moshe Feiglin, chairman of the Zehut party, released a video attacking Tibi. Feiglin stated, "We have known him for years, he knows very well what he is doing. What he wanted was to release a video in which he humiliates Jewish officials and presents himself as if he owns the place." Feiglin continued, "So Ahmad, you are not the owner, because this is not your home. The Land of Israel belongs to the Jews alone. There will never be a national home here for you. The national home in the Land of Israel is for the people of Israel alone. And if you don't like it, you are welcome to return to where your family came from, Syria, right? If you are not happy here, get out."

Feiglin further clarified his message in another video, stating, "A polling station is not a stage for your power display. A public role is not a license to shout, humiliate, or intimidate. Decisions at the polling station are made by ballots, not by shouting."

The incident in Tayibe occurred amidst reports of high voter turnout in the Arab sector on election day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an emergency call to Likud voters, warning, "They are trying to steal the elections from us. The police announced something serious and unusual. Three of the most prominent financial figures of Ra'am were caught with envelopes of money in the south." Shas chairman Aryeh Deri also issued an emergency call, expressing concern over high turnout in left-wing strongholds and the Arab sector, while worrying about apathy in Haredi and right-wing areas. A senior Haredi figure told 'Kikar HaShabbat' that low turnout in their sector was concerning, especially as numbers were rising sharply in other sectors. However, data by 12:30 PM showed approximately 35% turnout in the Haredi sector, compared to 31.5% nationally.