Israeli Municipal Elections Yield Mixed Results for Incumbent Mayors
In municipal elections that were held across Israel on Tuesday, early results indicate a mix of outcomes for incumbent mayors, with some comfortably reelected, others facing defeat, and a few locked in tight races. The elections, marred by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, saw a lower-than-usual voter turnout of just 49.5%. In Jerusalem, Mayor Moshe Lion secured a resounding victory with 81.5% of the vote, while in Tel Aviv, Mayor Ron Huldai is on track for a sixth term, despite the competition.
The elections also spotlighted the challenges of voting during wartime, particularly for soldiers and reservists, whose “double-envelope” ballots are yet to be counted.
In cities close to Gaza and Lebanon’s borders, elections have been postponed.
The municipal vote offers a glimpse into public sentiment toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition amid declining support following the October 7 massacre by Hamas. Yet, local elections, typically drawing lower turnouts, may disproportionately favor Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox allies, known for their reliable voter participation.
Several cities, including Haifa and Beit Shemesh, are poised for runoff elections between the top two vote-getters due to no candidate securing the minimum threshold of 40% needed to win. Haifa Mayor Einat Kalisch-Rotem was ousted, securing only 4.5% of the vote. Meanwhile, Netanya’s Mayor Miriam Feirberg narrowly avoided a runoff.
This election cycle was not only about leadership but also about how communities navigate the challenges of voting amid conflict, with many Israelis choosing to spend election day at leisure, as evidenced by a spike in spending. The outcomes in cities like Herzliya, where incumbent Mayor Moshe Fadlon narrowly missed reelection, and Elad, where Mayor Israel Porush was defeated, reflect the shifting political landscape and the complex interplay of national issues and local governance.
