Minority Arabs in Israel object to polling centre cameras
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is accused of trying to scare Arab voters, re-igniting tension between him and minority Arabs
Umm Al-Fahm — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party sent monitors equipped with body cameras to a number of polling stations with Arab constituents on election day in Israel on Tuesday, and Arab politicians condemned the move as voter intimidation. Police, when asked about the use of cameras in polling stations, confirmed there had been “a number of suspected irregularities” in the north, where many Israeli Arabs — who comprise 21% of the population — live. Netanyahu, head of the right-wing Likud party, who opinion polls show as neck-and-neck with a centrist rival, defended the filming, saying that cameras should be posted at voting stations throughout the country. In 2015, Netanyahu angered Israeli Arab leaders when he said that Arabs were flocking “in droves” to cast ballots. Analysts said the remark was an attempt to galvanise his right-wing base, and that it deepened longstanding mistrust among Arabs. On election days in Israel, representatives of most parties sit at...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.