Amnesty UK condemns Israeli elections as ‘apartheid at the ballot box’
Human rights group highlights exclusion of millions of Palestinians from voting and urges Britain to end arms transfers and ties supporting Israel’s occupation
LONDON (MNTV) – Amnesty International UK has condemned Israel’s parliamentary elections, describing Tuesday’s vote as “apartheid at the ballot box” because millions of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation cannot participate, while Israeli settlers in occupied Palestinian territories are allowed to vote.
Kristyan Benedict, the organization’s crisis response manager, highlighted the restrictions facing Palestinians as Israelis went to the polls.
He said Palestinians in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron were facing lockdown measures, with thousands displaced from their homes.
Benedict also pointed to the continuing violence in Gaza, where he said more than 1,500 Palestinians had been killed since the October 2025 ceasefire agreement.
The rights group stressed that the outcome of Israel’s elections should not affect Britain’s obligations under international law.
“No election result will change what the UK government must do,” Benedict said.
He urged London to halt all weapons transfers to Israel, impose sanctions on Israeli officials implicated in international crimes and press for unrestricted humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
The organization also demanded an end to Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave.
Benedict called on the British government to uphold international legal mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
He urged Britain to fully implement the ICJ’s rulings and sever economic, financial and political connections that contribute to Israel’s occupation, apartheid system and genocide against Palestinians.
These measures, he said, should extend to trade, investment, financial arrangements and other forms of cooperation or assistance.
The criticism came as more than 7.3 million eligible Israeli voters were called to elect the country’s 120-member parliament, known as the Knesset.
According to Israel’s Central Elections Committee, polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time Tuesday and were scheduled to close at 10 p.m.
The election has largely centered on a contest between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition and an opposition alliance led by former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
