Golan Heights Druze Villages See Sharp Rise in Knesset Election Turnout

Voter turnout in the four Druze villages in the Golan Heights saw a significant increase in the 26th Knesset elections, with partial data indicating nearly double the participation in some areas compared to the previous election in November 2022. In Buqata, turnout reached 48.8%, up from 25.4%. Masada saw 44.8% participation, an increase from 22.6%. Majdal Shams recorded 40.2%, compared to 23.4% previously, and Ein Qiniya had 46.4%. These figures, still preliminary and excluding double envelopes, signal a substantial rise in voter engagement among residents.

Historically, voter turnout in these Golan Druze villages for Knesset elections has been notably low, partly due to strong historical and familial ties to Syria influencing residents' attitudes towards participating in Israeli elections. However, recent years have seen shifts, particularly among the youth. Difficult events in Syria, including the massacre of Druze in Sweida and Hezbollah's attack in Majdal Shams that killed 12 children and teenagers, have impacted the community. Concurrently, increased educational attainment and greater familiarity with Israeli society have also contributed to this change.

The Yisrael Beiteinu party, led by Avigdor Lieberman, emerged as the leading party in all four villages. In Majdal Shams, Yisrael Beiteinu secured 529 votes, narrowly beating Gadi Eisenkot's party with 524 votes. Masada saw Yisrael Beiteinu receive 309 votes against 127 for Eisenkot's party. The party also took first place in Buqata and received 141 votes in Ein Qiniya. The Yisrael Tfila party, headed by Sharan Haskel, came in second place with 110 votes in Ein Qiniya. Wael Mugrabi, head of the Ein Qiniya local council, ran fourth on Haskel's list.