Anecdotal evidence suggests that Arab-Israeli turnout is very high in the Israeli elections. It appears high enough that Netanyahu is using it as a battle cry.
Likud is troubled over high voter turnout in the Arab community. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently uploaded a video to his Facebook page in which he said: “The right-wing government is in danger. Arab voters are coming out in droves to the polls. Left-wing organizations are busing them out. We have no V15, we have Order 8 [code for emergency call up to IDF reserve duty], we have only you. Get out to vote, bring your friends and family, vote Likud in order to close the gap between us and ‘Labor.’”
This, of course, elicited a stinging response:
Avigdor Lieberman on Twitter: “Netanyahu also knows that if the Arabs are voting in droves, only a strong Lieberman can stop them.”
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Joint List candidate and MK Dov Khenin petitioned the Central Elections Committee to remove the Likud campaign that casts Arab voters in a negative light.
“A prime minister who campaigns against voting by citizens belonging to an ethnic minority is crossing a red line of incitement and racism. This is especially severe on Election Day, when the message to Israeli citizens is to participate in the elections, vote, and take part in the democratic system. A statement like that, issued by the prime minister, shows that he has completely lost his way and that he is ready to break all the principles of democracy to safeguard his regime.”
Meretz chairwoman Zehava Galon also slammed the prime minister, sharing his Facebook post and commenting laconically, “Serious warning: Israeli citizens are voting in the elections.”
Also, the Central Elections Committee issued an injunction that will prevent Netanyahu from having a live broadcast this evening.
Did you know that the Israelis have the day off from work today?
What a country!
