In Dimona, a small city located in the Negev Desert and one of the historical strongholds of the Likud party led by Benjamin Netanyahu, disillusioned voters are striving to pave the way for change with their campaigns for his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot. This election is the first Israeli election following the surprise Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and the beginning of Israel's war with this group.
Challenges Facing Netanyahu
The security attack on October 7 has had deep impacts on the popularity of the Likud party. Polls indicate that Netanyahu's coalition of right-wing, far-right, and religious parties is significantly declining. While Eisenkot, the centrist rival, also does not have a clear path to power, the competition has become extremely tight as the election approaches.
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Change in Dimona
Yossi Asa Yag, a 74-year-old resident of Dimona, says, "We need to change. Bibi must go." He is part of a group of Dimona residents trying to encourage their community to vote for the Yashar party, which is polling neck-and-neck with Likud. However, this is difficult in Dimona, where in the 2022 elections, half of the voters supported Likud.
Ruti Ohana, a retiree, is fiercely loyal to Likud and states, "I will never betray Likud." She believes that Netanyahu is far superior to his rivals and that the criticisms against him regarding the events of October 7 are unfair.
Changes in Israel's domestic politics, especially in Dimona, could favor Eisenkot. As the son of Moroccan immigrants and recognized as the former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, his personal story as a representative of the Mizrahi community could help him attract voters.
However, Netanyahu, as a seasoned leader in Dimona, has managed to maintain his popularity. At one of his events in the city, he referenced the achievements of Likud governments and urged people to remember which governments have invested in the development of the region.
Meanwhile, some of Netanyahu's supporters also admit to the need for change and believe it is time for him to go. David Izakali, a software engineer in Dimona, said, "He has done a lot for Israel, but this cannot continue. I will not vote for someone who is nearly 80 years old."
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