Times of Israel, on Targeting, 28 October 2026

6.0out of 10Serious

Daily Briefing October 28: Israel voted in droves. What comes next?

Tap a highlight to see why it matters.1 finding

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Political correspondents Tal Schneider and Ariela Karmel join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today’s episode. WATCH the full episode here: Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar party chief Gadi Eisenkot gave celebratory remarks after exit poll results came in on Tuesday night, with each vowing to be the one to establish the next government.

As dawn broke on Wednesday, the Netanyahu bloc began to pull ahead and we discuss what this may — or may not — mean. More from The Daily Briefing October 27, 2026 Daily Briefing Oct. 27: Higher Arab turnout could mean evening lines, delayed exit polls October 26, 2026 Daily Briefing Oct. 26: Legal groups brace for right-wing interference at Arab polls October 25, 2026 Daily Briefing Oct. 25 - Slaying of two soldiers sparks widespread IDF op in Hebron October 22, 2026 Daily Briefing Oct. 22: Arab states weigh in on post-election potential for regional ties October 21, 2026 Daily Briefing Oct. 21 - Is Netanyahu gearing up to strike Iran?

One of the standout takeaways from yesterday was the massive percentage of voters — the highest since 1999 — and . The duo weigh in on why took place and how it may influence coalition calculations. There’s one man who has already claimed victory, and that is US President Donald Trump, who on Wednesday credited his endorsement of Netanyahu for boosting the premier in the Knesset election.

Schneider explains why this may not be fake news. Check out The Times of Israel’s ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Eisenkot and Netanyahu each vow to form next coalition, even as exit polls predict stalemate ‘He’s united Arab Israelis’: Ben Gvir’s harsh policies drive high turnout in Arab towns Trump takes credit for Netanyahu’s election boost after endorsement Subscribe to The Times of Is rael Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. Check out yesterday’s episode here: Is our live election coverage important to you? Are you relying on The Times of Israel for accurate and timely coverage of the 2026 Israeli election? If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6/month, you will: Support our independent journalists who are working around the clock to report political developments as they unfold; Read ToI with a clear, ads-free experience on our site, apps and podcasts; and Gain access to exclusive content shared only with the ToI Community, including our DocuNation streaming film series and weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.

Join The Times of Israel Community JOIN NOW Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this read more: Israel Inside The Daily Briefing podcasts Times of Israel podcasts 2023-2025 Israel-Hamas war 2026 Israeli election If you’d like to comment, join The Times of Israel Community. JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY Already a member? Log in here close popup Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community Sign in or Register Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles Email address * Please use the following structure: example@domain.com Continue Or Continue with By joining you agree to the terms and conditions Send me The Times of Israel Daily Edition back close popup Register to continue Email address * Change REGISTER Or Continue with back close popup Log in to continue Email address * Something went wrong.

Please try again in a few minutes.. Continue back close popup Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community Sign in or Register You are currently registered. Please join The Times of Israel Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits Only ToI Community members can comment below articles Email address * Password * Incorrect password. Please try again or choose an option below. Forgot your password? / Send me a login link Continue Sign in without joining Or Continue with close popup Check your email We sent an email to you at .

It has a link that will sign you in. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. back close popup Join The Times of Israel Community Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits. Email address * Please use the following structure: example@domain.com JOIN NOW! close popup Thank you! Now check your email You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community!

We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.

Read the original article on timesofisrael.com (opens in a new tab)
What we found (1)

The Times of Israel's podcast blurb reports the highest election turnout since 1999 and says it was most marked "in the Arab community". In its own voice it names these voters only by an Arab-only label and never as Palestinian citizens of Israel, although survey evidence shows most respondents in a 2019 sample of Arab citizens chose a self-description including Palestinian.

  1. Erases a people's national identity

    Serious

    “most especially in the Arab community”

    Why this matters
    In its own voice the outlet names the voters behind the election's standout turnout only as "the Arab community", an Arab-only label.
    The impression it gives
    A reader takes the record turnout story to be about an ethnic minority inside Israel, with no national identity of its own and no link to the Palestinian people.
    The context
    These voters are Palestinian citizens of Israel. In Sammy Smooha's 2019 survey of 718 adult Arab citizens of Israel, 61.9% chose a self-description containing Palestinian. Arab and Palestinian identities coexist. The word Palestinian appears nowhere in the article.

    How we know

    • Our analysis“61.9% chose a description of themselves that included Palestinian”Palestinian citizens of Israel voted in record numbers
    • On the recordIn Sammy Smooha's April-June 2019 survey of 718 adult Arab citizens of Israel, including Druze and Bedouin, 61.9% chose a self-description containing Palestinian. This is historical survey evidence, not a 2026 percentage or proof of any individual's identity. Arab and Palestinian identities can coexist.newscord.org (opens in a new tab)

    Show it in the article

    “this surge in the Arab community”

    Why this matters
    The outlet repeats the Arab-only label when it says what the episode analyses: the cause of the surge and its effect on coalition calculations.
    The impression it gives
    A reader is told the political event worth explaining is an Arab sectoral surge. The national identity of the voters is treated as irrelevant to why they turned out and what their votes mean.
    The context
    Their national identity is part of the event. The editorial reporting the same election calls them Palestinian citizens of Israel who voted in record numbers. The blurb gives the reader no sign of that identity anywhere.

    How we know

    • Our analysis“In Sammy Smooha's 2019 survey of 718 adult Arab citizens of Israel”Palestinian citizens of Israel voted in record numbers
    • On the recordIn Sammy Smooha's April-June 2019 survey of 718 adult Arab citizens of Israel, including Druze and Bedouin, 61.9% chose a self-description containing Palestinian. This is historical survey evidence, not a 2026 percentage or proof of any individual's identity. Arab and Palestinian identities can coexist.newscord.org (opens in a new tab)

    Show it in the article

    Written straight

    One of the standout takeaways from yesterday was the highest turnout since 1999, most especially among Palestinian citizens of Israel. The duo weigh in on why this surge took place and how it may influence coalition calculations.

How other outlets reported it

Our analysisPalestinian citizens of Israel voted in record numbers

Spot something we missed? Report this article

More from Times of Israel

Everything we scored from Times of Israel

See how 316 outlets covered this story