Left-Wing Campaign Aims to Boost Arab Voter Turnout to Sway Elections

Left-wing organizations, philanthropists, and academics are pooling significant resources in a concerted effort to increase voter turnout among the Arab population in Israel, aiming to influence the upcoming elections and potentially unseat the right-wing government. The New Israel Fund, an umbrella organization for Israeli left-wing NGOs, is reportedly focusing its efforts on this goal.

One participating NGO, "Have You Seen the Horizon Lately?", is running a campaign to promote the idea of a government coalition that includes Arab parties, producing promotional videos for Mansour Abbas and critical content for parties opposing such a coalition. Another organization, "Abraham Initiatives," has stated its dedication to raising Arab voter participation. The "Zazim" organization, also supported by the New Israel Fund, is mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to provide transportation for Bedouin voters to polling stations. The head of Zazim has expressed confidence that Arab voters will help the left "win the elections with ease."

Billionaire Kobi Richter is also contributing, having enlisted members of the "Pilots for Shared Living" organization, known for its involvement in recent protests, to help transport Bedouin voters. There are expectations within the Arab community for increased voter turnout in the current elections, with left-wing efforts seen as a contributing factor. Some religious figures, like Sheikh Mohammed Amara from Umm al-Fahm, who previously led protests related to land disputes, are now encouraging votes for Arab parties, signaling a potential shift in political engagement.