Israel's Government Accused of Inciting Violence Against Arab Citizens

• Israel's October 27 election is expected to be a tight race, with concerns about potential violence between rival political camps.
• The government has been accused of inciting hostility against opponents, including publicly praising individuals who have intimidated Arab citizens.
• Critics argue that the government's actions are designed to deter opposition voters and maintain its power.
• The situation in Israel has drawn comparisons to other countries where electoral violence and intimidation have been used as tactics.

Critics argue that the government is directly responsible for fanning the flames of violence, particularly against Arab citizens.

As Israel's October 27 election approaches, concerns are mounting about the potential for violence between rival political camps. The government has been accused of inciting hostility against opponents, with top ministers publicly praising individuals who have intimidated Arab citizens. This trend is part of a broader pattern of escalating tensions in Israeli society, which has seen mass protests and vandalism targeting government-critical institutions. In July, the offices of Haaretz newspaper and Channel 12 News were vandalized, with a note left threatening to harm journalists. The Shin Bet domestic security service has warned of 'various threats to the integrity of the elections,' both internal and external.

Critics argue that the government is directly responsible for fanning the flames of violence, particularly against Arab citizens. The issuance of over 200,000 civilian firearm licenses by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been seen as a move to build loyalty among his supporters. This has raised concerns about the potential for private, armed militias to intimidate opposition voters. Parliament member Ofer Cassif warned that areas with concentrations of liberal, anti-government voters are particularly at risk, and that the presence of armed mobs could deter people from voting. Ilana Shpaizman, a senior lecturer in political science, agreed that the likelier scenario is not open clashes between opposing groups but 'violence led by the government towards publics that are more likely to vote against the government.'

The situation in Israel has drawn comparisons to other countries where electoral violence and intimidation have been used as tactics. Yuval Eylon, a Senior Visiting Fellow at INSS, noted that Netanyahu has 'learned from Trump' and is using a similar playbook to question the legitimacy of the election. This includes preparing the ground for claims of election rigging, which could lead to further polarization and violence. The storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of electoral violence and the importance of protecting democratic processes.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for potential electoral violence and intimidation tactics employed by the Israeli government against Arab citizens, which could impact voting rights and public order.

Source: Original reporting via AFP