Netanyahu and Smotrich Discuss High Arab Voter Turnout

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich held an urgent discussion on Tuesday following reports of high voter turnout in Arab communities. Both leaders expressed concern over the data and agreed to coordinate a joint effort to increase turnout among right-wing voters as election day progresses.

The conversation between Netanyahu and Smotrich occurred amid fears within the Likud and Religious Zionism parties that elevated turnout in the Arab sector could impact election results and the balance of power between political blocs. Sources close to the leaders explained that widespread voting in Arab communities might affect the distribution of Knesset seats and the number of votes required to secure a mandate, potentially making it harder for smaller right-wing parties to pass the electoral threshold.

In response, the two agreed to intensify on-the-ground activities in the coming hours. This includes making phone calls to voters, reinforcing activist teams, and deploying them to key polling stations in peripheral cities and in Judea and Samaria. Right-wing campaign headquarters are placing significant importance on the afternoon and evening hours, when they claim voter turnout traditionally increases among their supporters after the workday concludes.

Sources close to Netanyahu and Smotrich estimate that a further increase in participation in right-wing strongholds could help narrow the gap with the high turnout reported in Arab society. These efforts are expected to continue until the polls close across the country at 10:00 PM.