Smotrich says ‘Arab turnout unprecedented’

Turnout in several Arab-majority cities in Israel has surpassed the final turnout figures from the 2022 Knesset election by Tuesday evening, while haredi (ultra-Orthodox) cities lag behind their previous election totals, according to election-day data. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that high Arab participation might impact the election outcome.

In Umm al-Fahm, voter turnout reached 56.1% by 6 p.m., compared to 51.33% in 2022, an increase of 4.77 percentage points. Similarly, Kafr Qasim saw a turnout of 73.9%, surpassing the 70.31% in 2022. Nazareth had 58.4% of eligible voters cast ballots, up from 55.75% in the previous election.

The biggest increase among the four Arab-majority cities examined was in Rahat, where turnout hit 72.2% by 6 p.m., compared to 59.54% in 2022, a 12.66 percentage point difference. Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich coordinated efforts to boost turnout among their supporters amid concerns over Arab voter participation.

Right-wing leaders expressed worry, with Netanyahu warning that the high turnout among Arab voters could influence the election's outcome, urging right-wing supporters to vote. Haredi strongholds remained below their 2022 turnout levels. In Bnei Brak, turnout was 64.3% compared to 77.27% in 2022, a 12.97 percentage point gap. Elad recorded 71.2% turnout, down from 85.77% in 2022, while Modi in Illit had 69.8% turnout, compared to 84.51% in 2022.

Jerusalem, with a significant haredi population, recorded a turnout of 66.7%, exceeding the 2022 figure of 63.37%.

Shas chairman Arye Deri expressed concern over turnout among Arab and left-wing voters, warning of efforts to overthrow the current government. Civil rights groups warned of potential voting disruptions in Arab communities, citing slow processing times and long queues. Adalah Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights appealed to the Central Elections Committee (CEC) over missing Arabic-language ballot slips at some polling stations.