Netanyahu blasted the 55.7% turnout as a "life or death" moment for the right‑wing, insisting that every Likud voter must cast a ballot before the polls close at 10 pm.
Israel’s first legislative election since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7 drew 70,000 returnees from abroad and a surge of first‑time voters, pushing the overall participation to the highest level in decades.
In a video, the prime minister warned that a slump in right‑wing turnout could hand Arab parties the chance to form the next government. He called the race an "emergency" and urged supporters to skip beach outings for the polls.
The call drew sharp rebuke from opposition figures who accused him of racist incitement. Itamar Ben‑Gvir posted photos of women in hijabs at a polling station, framing the turnout as a moral duty for the Arab community.
Beyond turnout, Netanyahu’s campaign highlighted his security record and close ties to President Trump, while his opponents noted his recent push for military action against Iran and an AI‑generated image of a nuclear strike on Tel Aviv.
The result, expected after the 10 pm close, will determine whether Likud remains the governing coalition or if an Arab‑led alliance steps into power.