War Delays Israeli Municipal Elections, Arab Israelis in North Reluctant To Vote

The Israel-Hamas conflict's impact on municipal election delays raises concerns of low Arab Israeli voter turnout, risking underrepresentation and diminished civic participation

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, there has been a significant delay in Israel’s municipal elections, and Arab Israeli citizens who reside in the North are not enthusiastic about casting their votes.

Originally scheduled for October 31, 2023, Israel’s municipal elections were anticipated to draw thousands of voters from each city and town across the country. The intensifying war, however, has led to repeated delays in the elections.

The cabinet on December 31 approved a decision to reschedule the elections for February 27.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, explaining the multiple delays, stated that voting is an “elementary and important right” that Israeli army reservists should be able to exercise.

Prof. Etai Beeri, an associate professor at the University of Haifa, believes the election postponement disrupts the democratic process and representation in municipalities nationwide.

Israelis expect their local leadership and municipalities to address key issues such as education, roads, employment, and safety, Prof. Beeri explained.

The municipal local channel is very important for everybody, and the fact that there is a war and national crisis does not replace the local agenda

“So, I think the municipal local channel is very important for everybody, and the fact that there is a war and national crisis does not replace the local agenda,” he told The Media Line.

Daniel, a 28-year-old Arab Israeli from Haifa, emphasized to The Media Line the importance of Arab Israelis voting in local elections for community safety and stability, especially as the security situation in the North worsens.

“I see how things are escalating, especially in the North with Hizbullah, and our votes at the local level are just as important as placing votes for national government elections,” he said.

If we don’t vote, power can fall into the hands of someone who does not care about our well-being

“I will say this: If we don’t vote, power can fall into the hands of someone who does not care about our well-being. I mean look at today’s government, it says a lot. The local elections are supposed to encourage us to vote for a more effective municipality,” he added.

In Israeli municipal elections, residents cast two votes: one for the head of the local authority, such as a mayor or council chairman, and another for a list of candidates for city, local, or regional council positions.

Municipal elections empower citizens to select leaders capable of addressing local community challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, limited health care access, and inadequate social services.

Ashraf Amer, a social and political activist and Hadash candidate on the Acre Unity list, discussed with The Media Line the precautions taken for this year’s elections in light of the war.

“There was serious work discussed with institutions in providing more [bomb] shelters and being prepared for the possible outbreak of confrontations in the North. Other measures we are taking have been mentioned in the past when matters were raised for things like emergency medical treatment,” Amer explained.

Many Israeli citizens are focusing on other pressing issues, such as the safe return of soldiers, the release of hostages, and securing a permanent cease-fire. However, there’s widespread concern that nonparticipation by Arab Israelis in voting could result in underrepresentation and lost civic engagement opportunities.

When asked about the legitimacy concerns of the current administration due to election delays, Prof. Beeri highlighted the effectiveness of Israeli municipalities in handling the nation’s critical situations.

“Over the last few years, the local authorities, or the local government, was the most efficient and effective government when it came to crises, like the coronavirus and during the few first weeks of the Gaza war,” he stated.

“The fact that the national government does not function very well makes the local government even more important than ever,” he added.

Layla, a 25-year-old Arab Israeli from Tayibe, told The Media Line that even though she knows the importance of voting in the municipal elections, it just doesn’t seem like a main priority.

“I forgot that there were upcoming elections because of the mess caused by the war. I understand that these elections are important, but right now other things are more important, like a cease-fire and changing the whole government, not just the local authorities,” she told The Media Line.

When the Knesset voted to delay elections for the second time, Arab Israeli member of Knesset Waleed Taha of the United Arab List voted against the delay, while MK Youssef Atauna from Hadash abstained from voting.

Omar, a 22-year-old Arab Israeli from Nazareth, expressed to The Media Line that it doesn’t matter who they vote for because the primary issue lies within the Knesset.

“The issue is the higher authority, like people who are currently members of the Knesset. Those are the people we should be voting for or against before we vote for those in the local governments,” he said.

Amer mentioned that people in the North are currently struggling with the challenging issues caused by the war, but it is important that people still cast their votes.

“We currently face a lot more pressure than in previous years in terms of elections. The people’s disappointment is something expected from the current situation we are living in, but that doesn’t mean we should stay upset for long. We need to overcome this and vote in these elections as a strong Arab community,” Amer asserted.

Lana Ikelan is a recent graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an intern in The Media Line’s Press and Policy Student Program.