Druze fight for their first vote on Israel's occupied Golan Heights

For the first time since Israel captured the Golan Heights in Syria 51 years ago, the Druze vote on Tuesday in the Israeli municipal elections. But these elections have aroused the indignation of many Druze who see it as an attempt by the Jewish state to legitimize its control. The discontent is such that there was a boycott campaign and that a series of candidates withdrew.

Israel seized 1,200 square kilometers (460 square miles) from the Golan Heights to Syria during the Six Day War of 1967 and then annexed it in a gesture never recognized by the international community. Unlike the majority of Israeli Druzes who were born with Israeli citizenship and who have already voted in the elections, the approximately 23,000 Druze in the Golan Heights remain in a state of uncertainty. They are "permanent residents" of the Jewish state who have the right to vote in elections, while only those who have obtained citizenship can apply. Today, only about 20 per cent of the Golan Druze have acquired Israeli citizenship, according to the Israeli authorities responsible for population and immigration.

This vote takes place after a group of Druze lawyers asked the Supreme Court of Israel to vote in order to elect a mayor who will improve the services provided to his community. Nevertheless, only Israeli citizens can run for mayor, leaving the vast majority of their inhabitants unable to present themselves, a situation criticized by many Druze militants.

Tishreen Abu Saleh, a 26-year-old student and 26-year-old Druze activist, said the elections were an attempt to impose a minority of pro-Israel Druzes on the government, the German press service dpa reported. She said that an elected mayor will not bring better municipal services to the Druze communities and will only serve to strengthen Israel's presence in the region. "What we know in 2018, is the repetition of what Israel did in 1981, they are pursuing their strategy of dividing the society," Abu Saleh said. The elections have definitely widened the gap between the candidates and the leaders and activists of the community.