Netanyahu Urges Likud Turnout, Claiming Long Lines in Arab Communities

Original report Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Likud supporters to vote on October 27, claiming that buses were heading to polling stations and that large queues were being reported in Arab communities. In a message published on his official Telegram channel at 13:30 Israel time, he contrasted those reports with what he described as weak mobilisation in right-wing strongholds. Netanyahu warned that supporters who stayed home could help bring about a government involving Arab parties. He urged voters to choose Likud, identifying the party by its Hebrew ballot letters, מחל. His message did not provide turnout percentages or identify the Arab communities where he said queues were forming. The appeal followed another message at 13:03 in which Netanyahu asked Likud voters to bring relatives, friends and neighbours to their polling stations. He urged supporters to prioritise voting over going to the beach or holding a barbecue, presenting the election as a choice between a strong right-wing government and a left-wing government supported by Arab parties. At 12:58, Netanyahu had already issued an emergency appeal alleging unusually high Arab turnout and low participation among right-wing voters. Separately, the Government Press Office announced that Netanyahu and his wife Sara had voted at a polling station in Jerusalem. Netanyahu told voters: “Go out and vote!” Update • In an election-day message posted at 14:53 Israel time on October 27, Netanyahu alleged that Muslim Brotherhood supporters were descending on polling stations and stealing the election, and urged voters to choose Likud. He provided no supporting evidence in the post.