In the lead-up to this week’s Israeli election, Bedouin women in the Negev region organized a grassroots campaign to increase voter participation among their communities. The initiative was sparked by years of government policies affecting the Bedouin population, including home demolitions ordered by national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and lack of access to basic services in unrecognised villages.
The campaign proved remarkably successful, with voting rates tripling in some Bedouin villages and the lowest turnout in any Bedouin community reaching 62%, while the highest exceeded 93%. With approximately 180,000 eligible voters in the region, the surge in Bedouin turnout contributed significantly to broader gains for Arab-led parties. Palestinian-led parties secured an unprecedented 19 Knesset seats, substantially reducing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing majority.
Activists, including lawyer Hanan Alsanah who founded the Alnashmiat network, focused on educating women about their voting rights and removing practical barriers to participation. These obstacles included lack of awareness of voting eligibility in national elections, transportation challenges since no polling stations exist in unrecognised villages, and cultural considerations. Jewish volunteers provided transportation assistance to voters, while others provided protective presence at polling stations to prevent potential confrontations.
Netanyahu’s campaign included accusations of fraud and foreign interference in the increased Arab voter turnout, claims rejected by election officials and activists. Community organizers attributed the increase to heightened awareness and political engagement among a marginalised population facing home demolitions, inadequate safety infrastructure during conflicts, and rising organised crime. For these voters, the election represented a rare formal avenue for political expression given restrictions on other forms of protest.
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