Right-wing, disappointed and broken: the voices from Sderot that Netanyahu must hear | Shir-Lee Golan
A visit to Sderot nearly three years after October 7 reveals loyalty to traditional right-wing voting patterns, but also voices of sharp criticism against Netanyahu and residents who still haven't decided who to vote for. Residents express disappointment, distrust in the political system, and a deep sense of brokenness.
A visit to Sderot, nearly three years after October 7, reveals a complex picture of loyalty to traditional right-wing voting patterns alongside sharp criticism against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Residents like Yuval Strolovich and Idan Ben David, who define themselves as right-wing, express deep disappointment with the conduct of the government and the political system. Strolovich says she has lost faith in all political camps, noting that warnings about the attack were not addressed. Ben David, who defines himself as a liberal capitalist, calls on Netanyahu to go, arguing that the disaster happened on his watch, and expresses fear of similar events recurring. Alongside the criticism, a deep loyalty to the Land of Israel and a desire to stay are evident, despite the temptation to leave. The article presents an election campaign in Sderot, illustrating the deep fracture and the feeling that the time between the 'blows' is more frightening than the blows themselves.