Israeli right makes provocative statements as election votes are counted | Israel Election 2026 News
Senior Leaders Target Arab Voters as Israel’s Political Landscape Shifts
Published: October 28, 2026
As Israeli voters navigate a turbulent political landscape post-election, senior figures from the right have issued a series of contentious statements aimed at Arab voters. Allegations of election interference and intentions to fortify Jewish settlements in Gaza have stirred tensions amidst uncertain electoral results.
These comments surfaced during and after Tuesday’s election, which suggested a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition. Exit polls indicated that no political camp secured a clear majority, leading to speculation regarding the influential role of Arab-led parties in forming the next government.
In a speech at the election headquarters of his far-right Religious Zionism party in Jerusalem, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich downplayed opposition celebrations, asserting the government would continue its settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank—a move considered illegal under international law. “Jewish settlements will be established in Gaza,” Smotrich declared, despite Israel’s withdrawal from the region in 2005.
Earlier in the day, Smotrich raised concerns about high voter turnout among Arab communities and leftist strongholds, although he did not provide specific figures. He suggested that without adequate mobilization of right-wing voters, “terror supporters” could gain governmental influence.
Netanyahu, leader of the right-wing Likud party, echoed these sentiments during the voting process, warning that the surge in Arab voter participation could jeopardize the Jewish character of the state. He also accused three members of Ra’am, an Arab-majority party, of attempting to steal the election. While police confirmed the arrest of three individuals on suspicion of voter bribery, it was unclear whether they held significant positions within Ra’am.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev of Likud repeated allegations of election theft in a post on social media, framing the election as a choice between “the right or Palestine.”
Political observers, including British-American academic Dov Waxman, suggested that Netanyahu may seek to portray a coalition involving Arab parties as “illegitimate” in response to the inconclusive results.
Arab political leaders have denounced Netanyahu’s election-day rhetoric as racially charged and offensive. Al Jazeera correspondent Nida Ibrahim reported that, with approximately 55 percent of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s alliance of right-wing and religious parties was projected to secure 56 seats in Israel’s 120-seat parliament, falling short of the 61 needed for a majority.
Mansour Abbas, leader of Ra’am, indicated he had received outreach from both Netanyahu’s Likud and the opposing Yashar party, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, as discussions about potential coalitions continue.
