Riots at polling stations? The scenario looming over the 2026 elections | Yossi Hadar

Yossi Hadar warns of a scenario of riots at polling stations in the 2026 elections, against the backdrop of discriminatory legislation and attacks on the Election Committee by Netanyahu's coalition, which he says smells defeat.

In his column in Maariv, Yossi Hadar warns of a scenario of riots at polling stations in the 2026 elections, against the backdrop of legislative steps by Netanyahu's coalition that he says harm equality and democracy. He mentions the Torah Study Law, which he calls 'unnecessary and foolish,' and the law freezing the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers, which he describes as the discriminatory 'Gingi Law.' He also refers to the gender segregation law in university master's programs. Hadar claims the government is working to delegitimize the Election Committee, trying to prevent elderly voting in nursing homes, and making it difficult for Israelis abroad to vote. He links these moves to the coalition's hysteria, which he says smells an impending defeat. The column reflects a sharply critical stance toward the government, using charged language such as 'government of malice' and 'populist tyrannical regime.'