In the days leading up to Israel’s 2026 parliamentary vote, a series of posters began surfacing in multiple cities, depicting United Arab List (UAL) chairman Mansour Abbas and his deputy holding an Israeli flag alongside a rainbow flag. The imagery, coupled with the slogans “The New Israeli Story” in Hebrew and “Together, we will make a change” in Arabic, has been identified by the party as a fabricated campaign designed to tarnish its reputation.
The signs have appeared in high-traffic locations such as Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Boulevard, Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate, and several neighborhoods in Haifa. Photographs shared on social media show the posters mounted on utility poles, shop windows and even public benches, creating the impression of a coordinated political advertisement. However, the UAL has publicly denied any involvement, stating that the material breaches Israel’s election propaganda laws (regulations that prohibit misleading political advertising during campaign periods).
Party response and legal accusations
Within hours of the first sightings, the United Arab List issued a press release accusing “right-wing parties” of orchestrating the false campaign to sow confusion among Arab voters. The statement emphasized the party’s confidence in “the awareness of the Arab public and its ability to deal with the smears.” Legal counsel for the UAL warned that the organization would file a complaint with the election-monitoring authorities, arguing that the signs constitute a deliberate violation of the electoral code.
Election officials have confirmed that they are reviewing the matter, noting that the posters feature content that could be interpreted as a hostile attempt to associate the UAL with a political agenda it has not endorsed. The investigative team is also examining whether any political entities have funded the printing and distribution of the material, a step that would trigger penalties under the election propaganda framework.
Polls reveal a shifting right-wing landscape
While the UAL grapples with the smear campaign, the broader electoral environment has been dominated by volatile shifts among Israel’s right-wing factions. A recent poll conducted by the public broadcaster Kan indicates that former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc is projected to secure 51 Knesset seats, a modest decline from its current standing. In contrast, the incumbent Likud coalition, led by Benjamin Netanyahu appears set to lose two seats, dropping to 49.
Notably, the poll shows a surge for Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich whose right-leaning platform is gaining traction at the expense of newcomer Ofer Winter’s party, which fell below the electoral threshold. The data also confirms that the United Arab List and the Joint List together would capture roughly 13 seats, despite the boycott attempts by some Eisenkot-aligned parties.
Adding another layer of complexity, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a surprise endorsement of Netanyahu on his Truth Social platform, warning that a “wrong leader” could force America to act alone against Iran. The endorsement, arriving just days before the vote, ignited a wave of commentary, with Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman dismissing it as a “convenient puppet” maneuver.
Technology and security concerns during the campaign
Amid the political turbulence, a separate controversy has emerged over a Likud-affiliated mobile application called “Victory 26.” A non-profit watchdog, Israel Democracy Guard, filed a complaint alleging that the app could record audio inside polling stations, potentially identifying voters through voice-recognition software. The claim is supported by an affidavit from former Likud IT manager David Richter who referenced a similar system used in the 2022 elections.
If proven, such capabilities would represent a serious breach of voter privacy and could compromise the integrity of the election process. The Attorney General’s Office has been asked to examine the technical specifications of the app and determine whether it violates existing electoral regulations.
Together, the fake poster scandal, shifting right-wing poll numbers, foreign endorsements, and technology-related allegations illustrate the intensity of Israel’s pre-election environment. Observers note that the combination of misinformation tactics and legal challenges may influence voter perceptions, particularly within the Arab community that the United Arab List seeks to mobilize.
As the polling day approaches, election authorities have pledged to monitor the distribution of illicit campaign material and to enforce compliance with election propaganda laws. The outcome will likely hinge on whether parties can effectively counter false narratives while navigating a rapidly evolving political terrain.
