The Negev voted for home and equal citizenship
Attorney Marwan Abu Freih writes about the high voter turnout in the Bedouin community in the Negev (close to 80%) in the recent elections, linking it to demolitions, evictions, and insecurity. He describes difficulties in reaching polling stations, complaints of disruptions by right-wing activists, and demands that the elected leadership stop demolitions and recognize the villages.
Attorney Marwan Abu Freih, director of Adalah's Negev branch, writes about the high voter turnout in the Bedouin community in the Negev in the recent elections, which approached 80% compared to about 51% in the 2022 elections. He links the high mobilization to the demolitions, evictions, and insecurity experienced by residents. The article describes the difficulties in reaching polling stations, especially for residents of unrecognized villages, and the 2019 decision that rejected a request for dedicated transportation, claiming the benefit was "doubtful and marginal." Abu Freih notes complaints of delays, power outages, and disruptions by armed right-wing activists on election day. He argues that the Likud's accusations of "election theft" tarnish the entire Arab public. The article concludes with a call to the elected leadership to stop demolitions, recognize the villages, and provide personal security for residents.