Rahat:Jerusalem Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has reportedly weakened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc by encouraging Arab voter turnout, according to a Likud official's comments reported by The Jerusalem Post.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Shimon Boker, a member of Likud's central committee, stated that the extremist minister's actions have harmed Netanyahu's bloc and aided Arab parties in gaining seats due to repeated provocations.
The voter turnout in Rahat, Israel's largest Bedouin city, was reported to be nearly 80%. A Likud activist named Rami, who monitored the voting process in Rahat, noted widespread anger towards Ben-Gvir, which he claimed motivated residents to vote against Netanyahu's coalition. Rahat Mayor Talal al-Krenawi praised the high turnout as a sign of the community's strength, with residents citing home demolitions and Ben-Gvir's rhetoric as reasons for their voting choices.
An activist from Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party dismissed the criticism, asserting that Ben-Gvir should not be faulted for Arab citizens exercising their right to vote. Following the completed vote count, Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot received 48 seats, and Arab parties achieved a record 19 seats. Neither of the main blocs achieved the 61 seats necessary for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.
The Joint List won 11 seats, and the United Arab List (Ra'am) secured eight. The election results are anticipated to be presented to President Isaac Herzog on November 4 after verification procedures are completed.