New Russian-Speaking Immigrants Navigate Israeli Politics Ahead of Elections
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Over 130,000 new eligible voters from Russia and Ukraine are set to influence upcoming Israeli elections, with many still undecided. These immigrants, who often left their home countries for political reasons, are navigating a complex Israeli political landscape. While some parties are reaching out in Russian, new arrivals seek genuine understanding and representation, not just translated messages. Their political leanings are diverse and still developing, making them a significant, yet unpredictable, voting bloc.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Over 130,000 new eligible voters from Russia and Ukraine are poised to impact Israeli elections.
- Many new immigrants are undecided and still learning about Israeli political parties and ideologies.
- Immigrants often left Russia due to political opposition, not solely economic hardship.
- Political parties are increasing outreach in Russian, but immigrants seek genuine connection.
- The new immigrant voting bloc is diverse and not expected to vote as a single entity.
A new wave of immigrants from Russia and Ukraine, numbering over 130,000 eligible voters since 2022, is poised to significantly influence upcoming Israeli elections. These immigrants, often younger and more educated than previous waves, are grappling with the complexities of Israeli politics, with many still undecided on who to vote for. A recent study indicates that while 31% of these new immigrants support the right, this is considerably lower than the 59% among older immigrants and 66% among the second generation.
An event organized by "Project Zeev" in Tel Aviv aimed to educate young, Russian-speaking immigrants under 40 about Israeli political parties. Representatives from Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, Zehut, and Otzma Yehudit attended, alongside "B'Yachad" representing the left. Organizers noted that while Democrats were invited, they couldn't find a Russian-speaking representative. Notably absent was "Yashar!" led by Gadi Eisenkot, despite having prominent activist Alex Rif on its list.
Many new immigrants arrived in Israel due to political or personal opposition to the war in Ukraine, rather than solely economic reasons. This background shapes their political outlook, with some expressing a desire for a more just society. However, their understanding of Israeli political terms like "left" and "right" is still developing. Some, like Boris Fevski, who was a liberal activist in Russia, now lean right in Israel, while others, like Talia Blaiva, believe the new immigrants will eventually shift rightward after experiencing Israeli reality, particularly after the October 7th events.
The article highlights a generational shift, comparing the current "Pumpkin Latte" immigration wave to the "Sausage" wave of the 1990s. While the earlier wave arrived during economic hardship, many of the current immigrants come from urban, globalized backgrounds and left Russia due to political reasons. They are less likely to want to live in isolated Russian-speaking communities and are actively seeking to integrate.
Navigating Israeli politics is challenging for these newcomers, who often perceive the political landscape as chaotic, akin to a "Carmel Market." Many consume news through Russian-language Telegram channels, where political discourse is active. While parties are making efforts to reach out in Russian, immigrants emphasize that simply translating messages is insufficient; they seek genuine understanding and representation. The key challenge for political parties is to connect with this diverse group, who are not a monolithic voting bloc and whose political leanings are still forming.
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