Politics · Italy · 4 hrs ago
Netanyahu urges ultra-Orthodox voters to turn out before polls close
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called an ultra-Orthodox activist about voters who were not going to the polls.
The recorded call took place an hour and a half before voting ended, though the call’s date and the election outcome are not stated here.
The activist, Itche Dzalovsky, said many Haredi voters were angry because promises about military service and their community had not been kept.
He said they wanted the promises kept before voting, and Netanyahu pressed him on whether they would still turn out.
Netanyahu also warned that a government led by Mansour Abbas could take office; Abbas leads the Arab Islamist Ra’am party.
The call showed Netanyahu seeking last-minute support and asking whether guarantees to senior rabbis could change voters’ minds.
Benjamin Netanyahu urged ultra-Orthodox Jewish voters to go to the polls during a phone call about 90 minutes before voting ended.
The recorded call captured Netanyahu asking an ultra-Orthodox activist why voters were not turning out.
The activist said voters were angry because promises concerning conscription and the ultra-Orthodox community had not been kept.
Netanyahu warned that a left-wing government could threaten the Torah world and referred to a possible government led by Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas.
The activist said voters wanted promises to be fulfilled and suggested Netanyahu offer guarantees to senior rabbis.
- Who
- Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox activist Itche Dzalovsky.
- What
- Netanyahu urged ultra-Orthodox voters to turn out and asked why they were not voting. Dzalovsky said they wanted promises fulfilled.
- When
- About an hour and a half before polls closed.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Netanyahu wanted to know why ultra-Orthodox voters were not going to the polls. Dzalovsky said they were angry over unfulfilled promises concerning conscription and their community.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Itche Dzalovsky
Reason for low turnout
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu asked why ultra-Orthodox voters were not going to the polls and urged them to vote.
Itche Dzalovsky
Dzalovsky said voters were angry because promises concerning conscription and the ultra-Orthodox community had not been kept.
Political stakes
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu warned that a left-wing government could destroy the Torah world.
Itche Dzalovsky
Dzalovsky said voters wanted to observe the Torah and its commandments without their religion being trampled.
What could be done
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu asked whether anything could be done with 90 minutes left before polls closed.
Itche Dzalovsky
Dzalovsky suggested Netanyahu offer guarantees to senior rabbis and other rabbinic authorities.
Netanyahu called Dzalovsky to ask why ultra-Orthodox voters were not going to the polls.
Dzalovsky said voters wanted promises fulfilled and suggested guarantees to senior rabbis.
The recording was circulated by Ynet.
- Caller
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Activist
- Itche Dzalovsky
- Time before polls closed
- About 90 minutes
- Party mentioned
- Ra’am
- Recording circulated by
- Ynet
What people are saying
Are they crazy? Do they want a left-wing government? Are they crazy? We will all die.
Do they want to destroy the Torah world and they do not come forward? That is what I want to know.
They want a government that keeps the promises made many times.
What has not been done for four years is certainly very difficult to do now.