This UvA lecturer is travelling to Israel to vote: “Exercising your privilege”
Absentee voting is not an option for Israelis: they are required to cast their vote in person in their home country. And so Erella Grassiani, an Israeli-Dutch lecturer at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), boarded a flight to Israel to vote in Tuesday’s elections. “I think it’s important for those of us with the right to vote to actually exercise that right.”
More than 50,000 Israelis living abroad have travelled to their homeland to cast their votes in tomorrow’s elections. Erella Grassiani, an Israeli-Dutch lecturer at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and senior lecturer in anthropology, also decided to fly home to fulfil her democratic duty. What does she expect from the elections, and why does she believe they are so important?
You are an outspoken critic of the Israeli regime, and have remarked in interviews that you do not currently regard Israel as a fully-fledged democracy. Why, then, are you voting in the upcoming elections?
“Of course, you could say: Israel isn’t a democracy, so I’ll stay outside the system. On the other hand, the elections are currently the only tool we have to make a difference. I think it’s important not to place myself outside the system, but rather to vote because I have the right to do so.”
“Israel is not a full democracy because it primarily serves the Jewish residents of Israel, and certainly not the Palestinians in the occupied territories, who cannot vote at all. But for us, those of us who do have the right to vote, I think it’s important to make use of it.”
How democratic is the conduct of Israeli elections? For example, are the elections transparent, and are the votes counted fairly?
“In principle, the elections – the process itself – are democratic. In that respect, there is no major risk that the elections will go wrong or be unfair.”
“It is true, however, that it is more difficult for some people to reach the polling stations, such as the Bedouin communities in southern Israel. Whilst they are citizens, they do not live in villages recognised by the state. Consequently, they have virtually no access to the polls, which is of course incompatible with a democratic system, in which the aim is to give everyone the best possible access to the polls.”
“Furthermore, it is particularly tense this time round as to how the elections will unfold. For instance, there are fears of violence at the polling stations, for example from far-right activists who go to polling stations where many Palestinian citizens of Israel are voting. It would, of course, be terrible if that were to happen”
You have spoken on occasion about the absence of a moral compass in Israel. In your view, are there still any parties to which this does not apply?
“Fortunately, yes, because then I can vote for them. For me, the only parties I feel comfortable with are the so-called Arab parties. They are actually the only parties that genuinely advocate for equality between Jewish and Palestinian citizens in Israel. I therefore regard them as the most legitimate parties to vote for.”
Do you think those parties could play a significant role in these elections?
“Netanyahu’s far-right bloc will, of course, never form a coalition with Arab parties. But the anti-Netanyahu bloc – which, incidentally, is also very right-wing – might well do so. For a coalition, cooperation with the Arab parties could make a difference, because according to the forecasts, they are set to win quite a few votes.”
“Moreover, for the first time, many Palestinian citizens in Israel – 20 per cent of the total population – who used to boycott the elections, are planning to vote. Precisely because they believe they can now make a difference.”
Do you think these elections could be a turning point?
“If Netanyahu remains in power, that would truly be a major disaster. If he is voted out, there is still some chance that things might change. The government that would then be in power might perhaps do something about the appalling, massive violence on the West Bank, which has increased at an alarming rate in recent years. It wouldn’t end the occupation itself, but it would say: ‘We’re going to do something about that violence’. These are nuances, but for the people on the ground, it could still be important.”
“Still, it’s not as though a left-wing government would suddenly come to power and immediately start talking to the Palestinians and make peace. Absolutely not; broadly speaking, the policy would remain the same. But once Netanyahu is gone, many people will breathe a deep sigh of relief.”
