Flooding Traps Voters in Southern Israel, Election Officials Consider Extension
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Flash floods and severe weather in southern Israel have blocked roads, trapping residents and preventing them from reaching polling stations before the scheduled 8:00 PM closing time. Several political parties have requested an extension of voting hours, while others oppose it, with the Central Elections Committee set to discuss the matter. Residents are stranded, unable to cast their ballots due to road closures on Route 90 and other major arteries.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Flash floods in southern Israel have blocked roads, preventing residents from reaching polling stations.
- Residents in the Arava region are stranded and fear they cannot vote before polls close.
- Political parties are divided on extending voting hours, with the Elections Committee to discuss the request.
- Route 90 and several other major roads in the south are closed to traffic.
- Yoni Stern, a resident, demanded an extension of polling hours or the reopening of roads.
Severe weather and flash floods in southern Israel have blocked major roads, preventing some residents from reaching polling stations before the scheduled closing time of 8:00 PM on Tuesday. Residents in the Arava region, particularly in the Tamar Regional Council and the community of Neot HaKikar south of the Dead Sea, are stranded due to police checkpoints established to prevent traffic on Route 90. These individuals fear they will be unable to cast their ballots before polls close.
The police had previously closed Route 90 in both directions from Eilat to Dimona and Ein Gedi due to the inclement weather. Yoni Stern, a resident of Neot HaKikar, expressed his frustration, stating, "Many Arava residents, including myself, are stuck on the road and cannot exercise our right to vote. We need them to extend the polling hours or open the road." He reported being stuck at the Arava junction and unable to reach his polling station.
Political parties have responded to the situation. The Likud party initially appealed to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Supreme Court Vice President Noam Sohlberg, requesting an extension of voting hours. Otzma Yehudit, Shas, and Am Israel later joined this request. Conversely, Yisrael Beiteinu, HaBayit HaYehudi, and HaDemokrattim opposed the extension. The Central Elections Committee announced it would discuss the extension request.
Heavy rains across southern Israel caused flash floods in wadis from Eilat through the Negev to the northern Arava and the Dead Sea area. All roads leading to and from Eilat are blocked, though departure to Ramon Airport is permitted. The police urged drivers to avoid blocked roads and follow officers' instructions. Rain also began in central Israel and the Jerusalem area. Several roads, including sections of Route 90, Route 57, Route 25, Route 40, Route 13, and Route 12, were closed to traffic. Significant rainfall was recorded in the region, with Mount Shagav near Eilat receiving 17mm in three hours, and Neot Smadar in the Arava recording 8.4mm, about a quarter of its annual rainfall.
Mentioned
