The illegal arrangement that boosts voter turnout in Arab society

Regavim movement CEO Meir Deutsch revealed that sheikhs in Bedouin communities in the Negev initiated a separation between men and women during voting hours, aiming to increase voter turnout. The arrangement was not set by the Central Elections Committee. This comes amid reports of unusual congestion at polling stations in Arab and Bedouin communities and estimates of a surge in voter turnout in Arab society.

Regavim movement CEO Meir Deutsch revealed in an interview with Ido Tauber that in some Bedouin communities in the Negev, a separation of voting hours between women and men was introduced, initiated by local sheikhs with the aim of increasing voter turnout in the elections for the 26th Knesset. Deutsch explained that morning hours were allocated for women's voting until 12:00 or 13:00, followed by hours for men. According to him, this is a local initiative not set by the Central Elections Committee. He referred to footage from Bedouin communities showing many women on their way to vote. This comes amid reports of unusual congestion at polling stations in Arab and Bedouin communities, alongside estimates of a surge in voter turnout in Arab society, from 53.2% in the previous elections to 65%–69% and even 75% in a high scenario. The article presents the arrangement as illegal, relying on a single source.