Boasting about harming Arabs could backfire on Smotrich
The boasting of Smotrich and Ben Gvir about harming Arabs may actually increase voter turnout in the Arab community. The article analyzes how the threats and videos of the two, along with a halachic ruling by Rabbi Lior, make them direct rivals of the Arab public and mobilize voters against them, with a forecast of a rise from 53.2% to 65%-70% turnout.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have become direct rivals of the Arab public in Israel, and their boasting about harming Arabs may actually increase voter turnout in the Arab community in the upcoming elections. This is argued by a columnist in an article published on Local Call. Smotrich published an AI-generated campaign video showing a Palestinian warning an Arab in the Galilee about land seizure, and in a September speech promised to transfer the policy from Judea and Samaria to the Negev and Galilee. Ben Gvir highlights achievements in demolitions in the Negev, with 5,742 demolitions in 2025 compared to 2,862 in 2022, and published additional AI videos. The article notes that a halachic ruling by Rabbi Dov Lior, permitting Jews to harvest olives in Palestinian orchards, raises concerns that methods from the West Bank will also be directed at the Galilee. Voter turnout in Arab localities stood at 53.2% in 2022, and internal estimates forecast a rise to 61% and even 70%, which could grant Arab lists 15–17 seats in the Knesset.