Northern Branch Islamic Movement leaders call for boycott of Israeli Knesset elections

Leaders of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, including Raed Salah and deputy Kamal Khatib, are urging Arab citizens to boycott upcoming Knesset elections. Khatib rejected both the "influence from within government" approach of the Ra'am party and the "influence from outside government" approach of the Joint List. In recent statements, Khatib argued that voting for parties seeking to influence the government would make voters complicit in bloodshed in Gaza, stating: "Your vote will be a cause of bloodshed, the destruction of homes, and the weeping of children." The position has sparked confrontation with supporters of the Joint List and Ra'am party.