The Observer view on the threat posed to Israel by another Benjamin Netanyahu victory | Observer editorial

The prime minister’s pre-election tactics underline why he must be ousted from office

Benjamin Netanyahu’s bid to secure another term as Israel’s prime minister has grown more desperate and divisive as Tuesday’s elections approach. Bibi, as he is known, has never been afraid to fight dirty. Now he is at it again as his Likud party and its rightwing allies struggle to amass the 61-seat Knesset majority that would further extend his record 13 years as Israeli leader.

Familiarity with Netanyahu’s objectionable tactics do not render them more acceptable or less of a stain on Israeli democracy. Last week, a message sent from his official Facebook page warned of “the Arabs who want to destroy us all – women, children and men”. This was a scurrilous reference to Israeli citizens of Arab descent – about 900,000 out of roughly 6 million eligible voters.

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