It’s now or never, say SA olim on Israel’s election

“Democracy is at stake,” says South African oleh Jonathan Schwartz, regarding the Israeli legislative elections that took place on 1 November to elect Israel’s 25th Knesset. Though it may be the fifth elections since 2019, he feels that now more than ever, Israelis need to decide what kind of future they want.

“If Bibi [Benjamin Netanyahu] puts together his ‘all right’ government, he’ll destroy the legal system to avoid going to jail and will politicise the civil service with political appointees,” says Schwartz, who made aliya from Johannesburg in 1978, and lives in Kochav Yair Tsur Yigal in the Sharon area.

Like many of Israel’s 20 000 immigrants from South Africa, he has strong opinions about Israeli politics, democracy, and its Jewish identity.

“I’ve been living in Israel for nine years. I voted for [Itamar] Ben Gvir because I feel he’s the only one that will make a difference in Israel,” says Ami Kubalkin, also from Johannesburg and living in Neria, near Modi’in. “He’s the only person from the Knesset that actually goes to where there were terrorist attacks and speaks out. He also feels very strong about the country and the Jewish people and that it’s a Jewish country! Only Ben Gvir!”

Ben Gvir heads up the far-right Otzma Yehudit party. He’s known for defending Jewish radicals on trial in Israel and calling for the expulsion of Arab citizens who aren’t loyal to the country. He’s a member of the Knesset.

Other South African olim believe Ben Gvir’s election could be the worst thing for Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state.

“His views are ultra-nationalist and Jewish supremacist in the extreme. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to define him as a fascist,” says Paul Mirbach, who made aliya from Cape Town in 1982 and lives on Kibbutz Tuval.

“I have just voted for Yesh Atid, but I’m consumed with fear that it’s not enough,” says Mirbach. “I’ve voted in every election since 1984, and not once have I been filled with such an intense feeling of impending disaster, that we are about to enter a period of dystopia. Not once have I felt that the fate of the country’s character hangs in the balance.

“Never before has the prospect of the upheaval of the balance of forces that define our country as a democracy been at risk like they are today,” he says. “Never before has the possibility been so real that we’ll join shrinking democracies and dark regimes. And I cannot even begin to contemplate what life would be like here if the axis [Mirbach’s name for Likud, Otzma Yehudit, Shas, and Yahadut HaTorah] parties win this election.”

Speaking anonymously, another South African oleh in his 20s says, “The political situation in Israel is scary. While antisemitism grows around the world, my feeling is that within Israel, Jews aren’t getting along with Jews, and so we once again find ourselves in an election cycle which seems like it will never end.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who stood in the line today and was actually more confused than certain about who I wanted to be the next leader of Israel,” he says. “I don’t see an end to this cycle of repeated elections, and I really fear the country could become anarchic if we cannot form a budget and cannot have at least a government for a full term to try stabilise relations amongst Israeli Arabs and Jews, and to strengthen relations with the world.”

Immigrants who made aliya more recently also have strong opinions. “My hope for this election is to have a government with a strong security focus together with an interest in a more secular approach for its everyday modern Anglo citizens,” says Sandra Sparks, who moved to Israel from Johannesburg and lives in Ra’anana. She couldn’t vote in this election, but if she had done so, she would have voted Likud.

“I would like to see an increased interest in caring for the elderly in society – they’re easily forgotten,” she says. “I would love to see an intensive recycling programme in place, with solid government backing. Lastly, a sterilisation programme for the street cats to halt uncontrolled breeding and neglect.”

Esther Gluckman and her husband, David, made aliya in October 2021 and live in Ramat Bet Shemesh. They were “very excited” to vote in their first Israeli election. “This is our country that Hashem promised to us. We’re voting for a purpose.” Their voting station was “very quiet” but they were thrilled to see so many parties outside, including a religious party with a table set up for Shabbat. “We’re home, this is for us. We voted for a right-wing party. This is our land. Though our real leader will one day be Moshiach, we hope for a leader that’s good for the Jewish people and frum communities.”

Ronit Beleli made aliya in April from Johannesburg, and lives in Bat Yam. “Israel is in such a difficult time now and I’m honoured to hopefully be able to be part of choosing the right party to make a change here,” she says. She voted for Shas.

Twenty-six-year-old Tal Gordon made aliya in 2019 from Johannesburg and lives in south Tel Aviv. “I hope people went out to vote because we’re really in need of a government that functions,” she says. “I voted for Meretz because I strongly support its values and believe that it’s capable of creating positive change in Israel.”

Another oleh in his 30s who left Johannesburg in 2014 and lives in Tel Aviv, says, “Multiple things are at stake. First, the justice system and the separation of state powers – pillars of any healthy democracy – have been under attack. Second, the country is increasing under the control of a few influential companies and families. Free-market policies are the only way to bring prices under control. Third is the future of the Haredi schooling system and its ability to make a contribution to this country as their numbers increase. Finally, the protection of minority rights and the addition of minority rights are at stake.”

He voted for Yisrael Beitenu. “These items are its main agenda, and I’ve gained some respect for Avigdor Lieberman and his choices in the past few rounds of elections.”

Says Mirbach, “In Zimbabwe [where he was born] and later South Africa, I never felt that it was my fight. Here, in Israel, it’s my fight. This is my home. I have nowhere to go. There’s nowhere else I want to be. And so, I’ll stay and I’ll fight – for justice, for rightness, for equality, and fairness. And also for our way of life and the character of our society so that I can feel proud to say I’m Israeli.”