Netanyahu accuses Arab citizens of 'trying to steal the elections' as Israel votes

▲ Escalating

Israel votes; Netanyahu accuses Arab citizens of trying to 'steal the elections'

Israelis voted on Tuesday in the first national election since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the day Netanyahu accused Arab citizens of trying to steal the elections, which the New York Times describes as a racial appeal to voters. Election authorities and volunteers moved to counter threats to voting, with observers pointing to AI-generated content and senior officials who have repeatedly suggested results could be rigged. No results are in the supplied events.

• Netanyahu's election-day remark about Arab citizens was described by the New York Times as a racial appeal.
• Observers cite risks from AI-generated content and officials suggesting the results could be rigged.
• A former general is seen as the main center-right challenger to Netanyahu.
• Coverage before the vote pointed to judicial reform, conscription, security and Israel's identity as key campaign issues.