LONDON, October 24, 2026 (WAFA) – Erika Rosas, Amnesty International’s director of global research, advocacy and policy, said on Saturday that as the world focuses on Israel’s elections, Israeli voters are being exposed to anti-Palestinian rhetoric and threats to escalate violations that constitute crimes under international law for political gain.

In a statement, Rosas highlighted the continued demonization of Palestinians during election campaigns, pledges to expand the occupation in the occupied West Bank, and threats to intensify destruction in the Gaza Strip, which has endured three years of genocidal war.

She said Israel continues to forcibly displace Palestinians across the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, while Palestinians continue to be killed in Gaza despite more than a year having passed since the ceasefire. She also pointed to the expansion of restricted-access areas and the indefinite postponement of reconstruction.

Rosas added that restrictions on the entry of commercial goods into Gaza are forcing people to wait in long queues for aid, while the ban on motor oil is further worsening an already deteriorating health sector.

She stressed that millions of people in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria will be affected by the outcome of Israel’s elections despite having no right to vote in them.

Rosas called on influential countries to use all available diplomatic and economic tools to pressure Israel’s next government. These measures should include suspending the European Union-Israel Association Agreement, imposing an arms embargo on Israel, and ending any cooperation that could support its unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory.

M.N