Southern Israeli Cities Favor Likud, Bedouin Towns Surprise in Election Results

Partial results from Israel's 26th Knesset elections, with approximately 70% of votes counted, indicate a record 77.7% voter turnout. Despite complaints about governance and a lack of tax benefits, the Negev region has once again largely voted for the Likud party. Dimona shows the highest support for Likud at around 53%, with Otzma Yehudit receiving about 12% and Yisrael Beiteinu 8%. In Yerucham, Likud leads with 34%, followed by Religious Zionism at 11%, and Yisrael Beiteinu at 9%.

In Netivot, votes are split between right-wing and religious parties, with Likud securing 32% and Otzma Yehudit 21%. Shas is the leading religious party with 22%. Ofakim sees Likud in the lead with 37%, Otzma Yehudit with 14%, and significant support for religious parties like Shas (12%) and United Torah Judaism (10%).

In Beersheba, the capital of the Negev, Likud garnered 39% of the votes. However, a notable portion of residents expressed a desire for change, with Yisrael Beiteinu receiving 12% and the Bayad party reaching 7%.

The surprise of the election comes from the Bedouin towns in the Negev. In Rahat, the Joint List secured the majority of votes with approximately 80%, while Ra'am received 17%. Overall, Arab parties are projected to win around 18 seats, with the Joint List accounting for about 12 and Ra'am for 6, based on current counts. While most Negev residents voted for right-wing parties and Likud continues to strengthen its hold in southern cities, the high turnout in Bedouin communities signals a demand for change.