Garry Kasparov, the former world chess champion and outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin, has urged Russian-Israelis to vote against Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that the Kremlin benefits from the prime minister’s approach to the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to The Times of Israel ahead of Tuesday’s election, Kasparov said he believed Russian propaganda was being used to influence Israel’s Russian-speaking electorate, including immigrants who had arrived in recent years.
“Just vote against Bibi Netanyahu, period,” he said. “You escaped Putin’s Russia. Most of you, I understand, did it because you disagreed with Putin’s regime…
“By voting against Bibi, you’re helping Ukraine, and eventually helping Russia as well.”
To get more Israel news, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.