High Voter Turnout Undermined by Claims of Stolen Election

Despite a record 77.7% voter turnout in the recent Israeli elections, the highest since 1999, claims of a stolen election have emerged, primarily from the Likud party. President Isaac Herzog lauded the turnout as a "certificate of honor for Israeli society," yet within days, discussions about a potential new round of elections began. Likud reportedly does not fear further elections and some are already suggesting April. The narrative suggesting a stolen election, according to reports, was being constructed even three days before the polls opened, with Likud preparing for complaints of fraud in Arab communities. This narrative frames the high turnout, particularly among Arab citizens who cast 19 mandates, as a "theft" rather than a legitimate expression of civic participation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned before the election that "the left is flying its Arabs thousands of kilometers to come to the ballot box." On election day, Likud announced that "the elections in the State of Israel were stolen by the Arab parties," with reports indicating Netanyahu presented evidence to the election committee and the Shin Bet. The police, however, stated that there is no investigative or intelligence basis for these claims and no evidence to date. The number of complaints regarding impersonation and fraud is around 50, lower than the 75 in the previous election. While election irregularities are possible, the article argues that the "stolen" narrative was prepared in advance, aiming to delegitimize the results and pave the way for new elections.

This pattern echoes past elections, such as in 2015 when a similar warning about Arab voters was issued. The article highlights the paradox of Arab citizens, who have historically been told their vote is unwelcome, participating in large numbers only to be accused of theft. Furthermore, the potential for repeat elections would disproportionately affect over 60,000 Israelis who returned from abroad to vote, many of whom cannot afford to do so again. The author contends that repeat elections would effectively nullify their votes, punishing precisely those who were targeted by the "stolen election" narrative.

The article concludes that the high turnout, with no single bloc securing a majority, signifies a clear message from the public. In other political cultures, this would prompt leaders to unite. However, the author suggests that the Likud's narrative of disqualifying certain voters makes a government including them untenable. While acknowledging the Likud's status as the largest party, the article argues that demanding respect for one's own voters requires respecting others' votes as well. The author criticizes the adoption of the Likud's core tenet, that some votes do not count, even by those seeking to break from Netanyahu's political culture. The 77.7% turnout is presented not as a draft to be revised, but as a definitive expression of the public's will, and calling for repeat elections is seen as punishing democracy rather than respecting it.