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In Israeli-occupied Golan, Druze struggle over first ever vote
MAJDAL SHAMS, Oct 26, 2018 (AFP) – An election poster at the entrance to
Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights offers a rare reminder
that the Druze community is about to vote for the first time in more than 50
years.
As across Israel, the residents of this mountainous region will have the
chance to cast their ballots on October 30 for their local councils.
But for the Druze of the Golan plateau these elections are different — and
far more controversial.
Israel seized the strategic region from Syria in 1967, and later annexed it
in a move never recognised by the international community.
Now many fear the push for a vote — the first since Israeli tanks rolled
in — represents just another bid by the Jewish state to try to legitimise
its control.
Such is the discontent that there has been a campaign to boycott the poll
and a string of candidates have pulled out.
Dolan Abu Saleh, 40, is still in the race.
But he is not holding any public meetings or events and has to content
himself with meeting a few voters in his offices.
“It is very sensitive,” he told AFP.
Saleh, who is close to the Likud party of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, recognises that calls for a boycott will likely keep most people
from casting their ballots.
But he insists that for the Druze living in occupied Golan this vote is a
good opportunity to help make their voices heard.
Before now Saleh had served two terms as mayor of Majdal Shams, elected
both times by local council members who were themselves appointed by Israel’s
interior ministry.
“Between being appointed and being elected, there is no doubt that an
election is more democratic,” he says.
– ‘Not for us’ –
The majority of the 23,000 Druze in the occupied Golan have never opted to
become Israeli citizens, according to Saleh.
But most are “permanent residents” of the Jewish state who are allowed to
vote in the election, while only those who got citizenship can run for
office.
This vote is taking place after a group of Druze lawyers petitioned
Israel’s supreme court for the right to hold it so they can elect a mayor who
will improve services for their community.
But the influential religious leadership has campaigned against them and,
although there is little sign of enthusiasm, the community usually abides by
their decisions.
In the village of Buqata, residents shut their front doors or shrug their
shoulders when questions are asked about the election.
“We are not taking part,” says an elderly woman dressed traditionally in
black with a white veil.
Amal Abu Shahin, 47, points at a Syrian flag painted on the wall behind him
as he makes his point.
“We are Syrian,” he says. “This vote is not for us.”
But the war in Syria has changed the relationship between many in the
community and their one-time homeland.
Where once Druze from the region dreamt of going to study or work in Syria,
now the seven-year conflict has seen more and more youths turn their hopes
towards Israel out of pragmatism.
“I’m for the elections, we’re with Israel now, Syria is over!”, says a 24-
year-old man, who refuses to give his name.
But despite that he will not cast a ballot.
“There are people who will check who will vote or not,” he explains.
– ‘Choose the right person’ –
Political activist Sameh Samara says he can’t understand the calls to
boycott the vote.
Sitting in his house he insists it could help bring better services and
rejects the claim it will bolster Israeli claims of sovereignty.
It is better “to choose the right person, a child of this earth, rather
than have someone imposed on us who is not suitable and not from here,” he
says.
But from his balcony overlooking Majdal Shams and the disputed frontier 500
metres (yards) away, rights activist Wael Tarabieh holds a different opinion.
Across the divide that snakes through the mountains lies Syria, where
almost everyone here has relatives still living.
And for him the election is just an attempt to further cement decades of
unlawful occupation.
“It is a way to get recognition for the fundamentally illegal presence of
Israel,” he says.
BSS/AFP/MRI/1125 HRS