Record Voter Turnout in Israel, Arab Sector Sees Dramatic Surge
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Israel's national voter turnout reached a 24-year high of 77.7%, with a notable surge in Arab localities, which saw approximately 80% participation. Several Bedouin towns and Sakhnin reported turnout rates as high as 87%. Major cities saw increased turnout compared to the last election, while two localities achieved 100% participation. Ultra-Orthodox and settlement areas also reported high turnout, with significant increases in the absolute number of voters in some Haredi communities.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- National voter turnout hit 77.7%, the highest figure recorded since 1999.
- Arab localities saw a dramatic surge in participation, reaching approximately 80% turnout.
- Bedouin towns in the Negev and Sakhnin reported exceptionally high turnout rates, up to 87%.
- Two localities, Paran and Shaharut, achieved a perfect 100% voter turnout.
- Ultra-Orthodox and settlement areas also showed high participation, with some exceeding previous elections.
- Major cities experienced increased turnout compared to the last election, though still below the national average.
Israel's national voter turnout reached 77.7%, the highest since 1999, according to the Central Elections Committee. This figure includes double envelopes, with the average turnout at polling stations in localities standing at approximately 72%.
A significant highlight of the election was a dramatic increase in voter participation in Arab localities, which exceeded the national average, reaching about 80%. Bedouin towns in the Negev, such as Rahat and Kseifa (85% each) and Segev Shalom (83.5%), reported even higher figures. Sakhnin recorded the highest turnout in the Arab sector at 87%, with Kafr Qasim reaching 86%. This represents a jump of about 25 percentage points compared to the turnout in Arab localities in 2022.
Major cities generally saw lower turnout than the national average: Tel Aviv at 65%, Beersheba at 66%, Jerusalem at 66%, and Haifa at 62%. However, all major cities showed an increase of 5 to 6 percentage points compared to the previous election. Two localities, Paran and Shaharut in the Arava, reported an exceptional 100% turnout, indicating full participation with no double envelopes.
Ultra-Orthodox towns also saw high turnout, with some exceeding previous elections. Modi'in Illit recorded 84% (up from 82%), Bnei Brak 78% (up 1 percentage point), and Beitar Illit 81%. The absolute number of ultra-Orthodox voters increased significantly, by 20% in Modi'in Illit alone.
Settlements also reported high turnout, with Kedumim at 79.5%, Ofra at 76%, and Beit El at 80%, all around 3% higher than in the previous election. Ariel, however, had a turnout of 67%, below the average for larger cities. Turnout in Likud strongholds like Kiryat Gat (73%), Dimona (67%), and Beit She'an (74%) was around the national average, while opposition strongholds like Givatayim (74%), Ramat HaSharon (76.5%), Hod HaSharon (79%), and Modi'in (79%) saw slightly higher participation.
Druze villages in the Golan Heights had particularly low turnout, with Majdal Shams at 40%, Mas'ada at 45%, and Buq'ata at 49%. Despite low percentages, the number of eligible voters in these villages has nearly tripled since 2022 due to citizenship applications, leading to a significant increase in actual voters. Druze villages in the Galilee and Carmel, such as Beit Jan (53.5%), Sajur (56%), and Yarka (61%), saw turnout above 2022 levels but still below the national average. Ghajar, a village with an Alawite majority, had 48% turnout, a dramatic increase from 30% in 2022.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Right 2Haredi 2Arab 1Other 2
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
