Jerusalem, 27 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Sheikh Raed Salah, leader of Israel’s outlawed Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement, is urging Arab citizens to boycott the October 27 Knesset elections, reflecting the organization’s longstanding rejection of participation in Israel’s parliamentary system.
The call stirred up a controversy within Arab society, where other religious figures associated with the movement have urged voters to participate and influence the next government’s composition.
Salah subsequently clarified that he was not conducting an active campaign against voting and that members and supporters were entitled to decide their own positions.
Ra’am party leader Mansour Abbas responded with a conciliatory message, referring to Salah and his deputy, Sheikh Kamal Khatib, as “our sheikhs” and acknowledging their right to disagree.
Meanwhile, Hamas-linked voices in Gaza have reportedly urged the two leaders to abandon the boycott, arguing that Arab voter participation could weaken Israel’s right-wing parties.
