How We Made History on Election Day in the Negev

28/10/26

On Election Day, hundreds of Zazim members took part in efforts to ensure free and fair elections and make polling stations accessible to Bedouin citizens.

In the weeks leading up to the elections, Zazim activists participated in nonviolence training and learned how to work alongside our partners in Bedouin communities across the Negev. Hundreds of you donated to Nashmiyat's Democracy Salons, which helped thousands of Bedouin women learn about democracy and their right to vote.

On Election Day, our activists headed south to help ensure that every citizen could exercise their right to vote. Our volunteers stood alongside local residents through heavy rain, power outages across the Negev, and long lines, staying until the very last polling stations closed.

We accomplished all of this together with our partners in the Bedouin community — the women leaders of Nashmiyat and dozens of other local leaders — in solidarity and equal partnership, as a natural continuation of our work in the Negev over the past 11 years.

The election results showed historic voter turnout in the Negev — a vote of confidence by Bedouin citizens in democracy and in a shared future for Jews and Arabs in this land.

We are proud of the role we played on this historic day, and we call on all political parties to respond to the hand extended by Bedouin citizens and put an end to the undemocratic boycott of Arab parties in coalitions.