The White House said on Wednesday that it was deeply concerned by the use of "divisive rhetoric" in the Israeli election that sought to undermine Arab-Israeli citizens. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested on election day in Israel that left-wingers were trying to get Arab-Israeli voters out "in droves" to sway the election against him.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters traveling on Air Force One that the United States would communicate its concern about the issue directly to the Israelis.