Young Israeli Woman Reconsiders Right-Wing Vote Amid Political Disillusionment

Uria Cohen, a 22-year-old from Beit Shemesh, is reconsidering her voting choices for the upcoming elections, moving away from her right-wing, religious Zionist upbringing. Raised in a family that traditionally votes for right-wing parties, with relatives including Tsachi Hanegbi and Geulah Cohen, Uria voted for the Likud party in the previous election. However, she admits she was never fully enthusiastic about that choice, feeling disconnected from the party's representation.

As she delved deeper into Israeli politics, Uria began questioning the individuals representing the country in the Knesset, beyond just the party leaders. She expressed frustration that the system's guiding principles did not seem to prioritize the public's best interests. This growing disillusionment has led her to criticize the Likud leadership, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom she feels has shifted from representing Israel to representing himself and his personal interests.

Uria feels personally responsible for her past vote, stating, "It angers me so much that I gave my hand to something that is currently completely opposite to what I feel." Despite distancing herself from the Likud, she has not yet decided on her vote for the next election. Her current considerations include the Yishai and Yahad parties, with the Democrats party also emerging as a more viable option after she dedicated time to understanding their platform.

This personal political journey is part of a special project by ynet in collaboration with "100שטח" called "Changing Direction," where Israelis from across the political spectrum share their voting intentions and the reasons behind their shifts in opinion since the last election.