The 2013 Israeli elections: A new citizen’s perspective

As an individual with citizenship in three different countries – Israel, the United States, and Panama, I perhaps have a unique perspective on the democratic process. Nowhere is a country’s democracy more exemplified and challenged than in its elections. My tri-citizenship forces me to deliberate on the election processes of three democracies, which are both allies and sovereign countries. Sometimes the best interests of one country may seem divergent from another’s. The inter-country differences in everything from campaigning to voter attitudes give me pause. But I am finding my way.

In the last two and a half months, I have had the exhilarating and daunting experience of voting in two national elections. Last November, in the midst of Hurricane Sandy Recovery efforts I cast my vote in the U.S. elections and had the distinct honor of hearing stories of so many who made their way to the shores of the United States and were thrilled to be part of this process. And this week, I cast my first national vote as an Israeli citizen, for the 19th Knesset. As I walked into the kalfi - the polling station at the local elementary school in our hometown of Hashmonaim I had the chills and the thrills. I was so moved and so excited knowing that my little slip of paper was making a difference in the leadership of the Jewish State – the homeland that as Jews we have yearned for, fought for and now live for!

Two and a half years ago, I moved with my family to Israel from North Woodmere after a lifetime as a U.S. citizen. As a freshly minted citizen, I had been looking forward to January 22nd. My travelling schedule along with that of so many of my friends revolved around this date in allowing us to exercise our democratic right.

I hope it doesn’t sound overly simplistic to say that the act of voting has felt as important as the outcome. The act of voting has deepened my appreciation for our family’s decision to move to Israel. I feel myself literally puff with pride and am hopeful that Israel’s future will only remain brighter. I am confident that G-d will give the strength and wisdom to whomever the leadership will be to lead us appropriately on both the domestic and international fronts.

Why? It’s really simple: Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East today, and I’m proud to be living in a country that represents the democratic process in this part of the globe. The election process has a communal feel, and I felt particularly proud to be standing amid family, friends, and fellow citizens as I cast my vote.

The enthusiasm of the electorate is also contagious. While I’ve heard a lot about voter turnout declining over the years in Israel, I’ve never seen more enthusiasm and passion about an election. Election officials said that this year’s election was the highest turnout in the 21st century. The spring-like weather of this past Tuesday certainly didn’t hurt.

People ask me about the differences between the election processes in Israel and the United States. The biggest, to me, is in how the various parties manage to work together. In the U.S., pundits are busy counting the number of state dinners that the opposition party has refused to attend. In Israel, diverse coalitions learn how to work together. Take one of the largest parties in Israel, for example: Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu, formed only last year, in an alliance between right-wing and center-right factions. I find myself frustrated at the U.S. Congress’ seeming inability to move past gridlock on any issue, while Israel manages to sustain, at last count, 32 different parties. Israel maintains a true multiparty government, as no single party has ever won a total majority in modern history. The arts of coalition and consensus building are certainly better demonstrated in my new home country than elsewhere.

The meeting of religion and politics also sets Israel apart from the U.S. As an observant Jew, I feel the State of Israel is both my religious and governmental homeland. And yet, Israel manages to uphold religious freedom and diversity in a way that is quite impressive. In the U.S., we speak of separation of church and state, but Israel manages to honor the religious heritage and values of its citizens while maintaining a flourishing democracy. In Israel, I feel that I am voting with my mind, my heart, and my soul.

The sense of community that permeates Israel’s voting process also seems lacking in the U.S. Unfortunately, I have never felt quite the same voter enthusiasm in Nassau County that I have in Hashmonaim. Political rancor also seems proportionately lower. I may be considered a “moderate” in my somewhat conservative community, but mutual respect trumps political name-calling. Do we debate and disagree? Certainly, but we respect our neighbors’ commitment to a better, safer Israel.

So while I watch the election results, I bask in the great fortune I have experienced in becoming an Israeli citizen and casting my first ballot for the Jewish State. I am also grateful for my U.S. citizenship and what this country represents. May each country and its people remain a shining light to citizens the world over, as we demonstrate our continued commitment to democracy.