Democrats Grapple With Reaching Israel's Periphery Voters

Internal discussions within the Democratic Party reveal a significant challenge in connecting with voters in Israel's periphery, particularly those who support the Likud party. Despite a desire to win these votes, party members express frustration and difficulty in persuading them, with some exhibiting anger towards those who continue to back Likud.

The party's perceived disconnect from periphery voters has been highlighted by recent events, including criticism directed at party leader Yair Golan following the Einav Tsengauker affair. These discussions frequently touch upon how the Democratic Party should engage with traditional voters and those in the periphery, with the "ethnic issue" also surfacing.

During party meetings, candidates like Nimrod Sheffer have addressed the issue, attributing the struggles of Mizrahi (Eastern) voters to Prime Minister Netanyahu, while also advising supporters not to fear problematic elements like "youth with tzitzit" (ritual sidelocks). These gatherings have also shown animosity towards segments of Israeli society, including Likud voters, Haredi (ultra-Orthodox), and national religious individuals.

Some activists have proposed strategies such as inducing "great shame" in Likud voters to discourage them from voting. Moran Michel, the campaign manager, acknowledged that the Labor Party had historically neglected the periphery. However, other voices within the party are urging a more genuine effort to understand why periphery residents distance themselves from the Democrats and how to engage them without appearing condescending.