Ramla Official Urges Vote to Combat Violence, House Demolitions

Sereen Abu Laban, a lawyer and member of the Ramla Municipality, has emphasized the critical importance of participating in elections to address violence and house demolitions in the cities of Lod and Ramla. Her stance has evolved following the loss of family members, including her brother Mutaz and nephew Mohammed Abdul Hadi, in a violent incident. Initially disillusioned and opposed to voting, Abu Laban now believes that Arab votes are crucial for enacting change, a conviction strengthened by her late brother's dedication to political participation.

Abu Laban explained that her personal tragedy led her to withdraw from political support, feeling a deep sense of injustice. However, she has since reconsidered, arguing that responsibility does not solely lie with Knesset members, who have limited tools. She now advocates for supporting them and applying pressure through political engagement. She highlighted that the Arab community's struggles extend beyond murder and violence to include the threat of home demolitions, making electoral participation a vital tool for defending fundamental rights.

She shared her family's personal struggle in Lod, where approximately 30 dunams of their land are under threat of demolition, compounding their fears related to violence with concerns over housing and land security. Abu Laban believes these issues necessitate broad electoral participation to increase the Arab community's influence on decisions affecting their daily lives, from personal safety to the protection of homes and land.

Observing the election atmosphere in Lod and Ramla, Abu Laban noted a surprisingly high turnout among Arab voters, which she hopes will continue. She stressed the need to transform this electoral engagement into sustained political influence to combat violence, prevent house demolitions, and improve the overall conditions of the Arab community.