Author Decides to Abstain from Voting, Citing Value Erosion

The author, Muhammad Sami Mahamaid, states that he has decided how to cast his vote in the upcoming Knesset elections, though his choice will not be found on any ballot. He likens the situation to the fall of Troy, where an apparent gift hid a destructive force, suggesting that political choices can have unforeseen consequences that erode identity and values.

Mahamaid critiques the pragmatic approach advocated by politicians like Mansour Abbas, whose party joined the Israeli government coalition in 2021. While Abbas's strategy focuses on achieving tangible benefits such as budgets, crime reduction, and housing through participation in Israeli coalitions, Mahamaid argues that these benefits should not come at the cost of national and moral standing. He contends that when the definition of 'right' itself shrinks to fit the means, it signifies a fundamental shift, not just a change in tactics.

The author contrasts Mansour Abbas's explicit approach with that of the Joint List, finding Abbas's agenda clearer despite his reservations. He questions whether the differences within the Joint List, particularly regarding recommendations for Israeli politicians like Beni Gantz in past elections, are substantive or merely stylistic. Mahamaid posits that the core issue is whether the search for a 'better' Zionist politician has become an accepted premise for Arab politics.

Mahamaid emphasizes that a vote carries a value system beyond political stances on national rights. He specifically cites the issue of LGBTQ+ rights and the definition of family as core values, not peripheral matters. He asserts that he cannot compartmentalize his identity, separating his religious and social values from his political choices. He believes that anyone seeking to represent him must align with his ethical framework, warning that globalization can erode values just as pragmatism can erode rights, starting with small concessions.

Ultimately, Mahamaid concludes that the decision of how to vote transcends the number of seats or promised budgets. He prioritizes what representatives should preserve over what they can achieve, questioning whether he truly understands the values and positions embedded in the political projects he might endorse. He believes that abstaining from voting is a valid choice when the act of voting means endorsing something one fundamentally rejects. He states that if forced to choose, he would vote to boycott the elections, as his search is not for a name on a ballot but for a project that upholds his principles and values, which he intends to pass on to his children.