‘I don’t think my vote counts’: Some Israelis choose the beach over voting

Even as the sun inches its way closer to the horizon, Palmachim beach remains packed with Israelis, some of who have no intention of using the election day holiday to vote at the polls.

“I never vote,” says Sivan, 37, from nearby Rishon Lezion. “I don’t think my vote counts,” she adds, squinting in the late afternoon sun.

While Sivan, who declined to share her last name, says she has only voted once and doesn’t have a preferred party, other voters are sitting this one out because they are actively frustrated with the political system.

“Everyone is the same shit” and “it’s rigged from the beginning,” says Mark Ruvinov, 23, from Ashkelon. “Once you know that, why vote?”

The former Likud voter is exactly the election day-boycotter that Likud chief Benjamin Netanyahu has campaigned tirelessly to draw back to voting stations.

Speaking at the Ashkelon marina shortly after Netanyahu visited to drum up support there, Ruvinov says he’ll use the day instead to do some shopping and eat ice cream with his girlfriend.

Back at Palmachim beach, Arkadi, who also declined to share his last name, says not only did he vote, but he plans to work on his reluctant coworker to do the same.

“There’s still time,” he says to their mutual friend.