Netanyahu Spreads Fear Of Arabs Using Fake Images To Mobilize Voters

Benjamin Netanyahu shared an image showing Arab citizens lining up outside polling stations during Tuesday’s Israeli elections, seeking to encourage right-wing voters to vote by raising fears of high Arab turnout.

BBC Verify found that the image was generated or altered using AI. The BBC asked Netanyahu’s office whether he knew this when he shared it but received no response.

Netanyahu warned of rising Arab participation and lower right-wing turnout, presenting Arab citizens exercising their voting rights as a threat.

Arab party representatives accused him of incitement. The post echoed his 2015 warning about Arab voters heading to the polls in large numbers, which drew accusations of racism.

The incident shows how Netanyahu uses fear of Arabs and digital misinformation to deepen divisions and drive voters to the polls.