Veteran Voters Recall Israel's First Elections, Discuss Current Political Landscape
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Two veteran Israeli voters, Zir Luz, 98, and Pinhas Abhar, 92, recounted their experiences voting since Israel's first elections in 1949 and 1955 respectively. Luz recalled early voting methods and his party affiliations, while Abhar expressed nostalgia for past leaders like Ben-Gurion and concern over the current fragmented political scene. Both men voiced deep worries about national unity and the country's future, urging citizens to participate in the upcoming election.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Veteran voters Zir Luz and Pinhas Abhar shared memories of voting since Israel's first elections.
- Luz, 98, recalled voting as a soldier in 1949 and his shifting party allegiances.
- Abhar, 92, expressed nostalgia for leaders like Ben-Gurion and concern over current politics.
- Both voters expressed deep concern over national divisions and the country's future.
- They urged citizens to vote in the upcoming election, calling it crucial for Israel.
Two elderly Israelis, Zir Luz, 98, and Pinhas Abhar, 92, shared their experiences and reflections on voting in Israel since the country's inception. Luz, who will celebrate his 98th birthday next month, recalled voting as a soldier in the first Knesset elections in 1949, describing the ballot box as a simple cardboard box. He initially voted for Mapam, then consistently for the Labor Party (Mapei) until 1977, when he voted for the National Religious Party (Mafdal) due to perceived corruption in Labor. Luz noted the shift in voting patterns within his kibbutz, Ein Harod Me'uhad, and mentioned his family's diverse political views, ranging from the Democrats to Ben Gvir and Smotrich, with whom he discusses politics without attempting to persuade.
Abhar, who was too young to vote in 1949, has not missed an election since becoming eligible. He grew up in Kibbutz Beit Alfa and was involved with the Working and Learning Youth movement for 35 years. Abhar corrected that the first constituent assembly elections were in January 1949, and he first voted in 1955 for Mapei, expressing admiration for David Ben-Gurion and nostalgia for the simplicity and camaraderie of that era. He expressed concern over the current proliferation of small parties demanding positions in exchange for coalition support, finding it troubling in every election cycle.
Both men expressed deep concern for the state of the nation. Luz highlighted the political divisions within his family, while Abhar lamented the deep societal rift, particularly after the October 7th events, and the challenges of the cost of living and security pressures. Abhar urged Israelis to vote in the upcoming election, calling it the most important for the country, and expressed hope for national unity and peace. Abhar's grandson, a soldier in the IDF, will be voting for the first time in this election.
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