Low Turnout in Likud Strongholds Sparks Party Fears of Electoral Defeat
Likud party officials are expressing significant concern over low voter turnout in their strongholds, despite record national participation rates. The party fears the opposition is mobilizing more effectively and that their own "cry wolf" warnings are losing impact. Low turnout was noted in towns like Kiryat Shmona and Nof HaGalil by noon, while national figures showed record participation. Prime Minister Netanyahu urged supporters to vote, citing opposition mobilization efforts.
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- Likud fears low turnout in strongholds despite record national participation.
- Party sources report "not even one encouraging sign" regarding voter engagement.
- Low turnout by noon observed in Kiryat Shmona, Nof HaGalil, and Kiryat Malachi.
- National turnout figures are at record highs for multiple time points.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu urged right-wing voters to turn out, citing opposition efforts.
Despite record national voter turnout, Likud party officials are expressing deep concern over low participation in some of their traditional strongholds and fear the opposition is mobilizing effectively. "If we haven't managed to get the right-wing public to want to vote by now, even last-minute 'cry wolf' calls will only help partially," a party source stated, adding that there is "not even one encouraging sign."
Relatively low turnout figures were reported by noon in several towns historically associated with Likud, including Kiryat Shmona (24%), Nof HaGalil (25%), and Kiryat Malachi (27%). Ashkelon, Dimona, Migdal HaEmek, Afula, and Beit She'an also showed turnout around 24-32%. However, these figures represent overall town turnout and do not specifically indicate Likud voter participation.
These concerns arise amidst exceptionally high national turnout rates. By 10:00 AM, 16.68% had voted, the highest for that hour since 1981. By noon, national turnout reached 31.5%, exceeding the 28.4% recorded at the same time in the previous election, and by 2:00 PM, it hit 44.9%, a significant increase from 38.9% in the prior election.
Likud is particularly worried about turnout among the Arab Israeli community, where polls predicted a higher participation rate than in 2022, which could shift the balance of power. The party also fears losing votes to smaller right-wing parties that may not pass the electoral threshold. Internal disagreements within the Likud campaign staff have been noted, with some confident in pollster Shlomo Filber's predictions and others concerned about the opposition's mobilization efforts.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video urging right-wing voters to turn out, warning of the "change bloc's" efforts to bring voters to the polls. The Likud had prepared a large-scale mobilization operation, but its effectiveness may be hampered by a High Court ruling restricting party tracking of voter participation, which the party claims hinders their ability to identify and encourage supporters who haven't voted. This follows a successful voter mobilization strategy in the 2022 elections that contributed to the bloc securing 64 mandates.
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