An Experiment in Democracy: Torn Between Syria and Israel, Golan Druze Divided Over First Election

Welcome to the controversial first-ever elections in the Druze villages of the Golan Heights, where most of the voters aren’t citizens and national identity is the real issue

Sep 06, 2018 11:48 PM

GOLAN HEIGHTS – As the conflict in neighboring Syria nears its conclusion, a new war is about to erupt in the Golan Heights. But this skirmish will involve ballot boxes, not ballistics.

Comments

Sign in to join the conversation.

Sort comments by

1

ICYMI

File photo: Pre-election posters with pictures of Ukrainian Prime Minister and presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko (L) and Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovich seen in central Kiev January 29, 2010.

In Ukraine, Manafort's Israel Link Met With Silence

Benjamin Netanyahu climbs out after a visit inside the Rahav, the fifth submarine in the fleet, after it arrived in Haifa port January 12, 2016

Israel Gives China Keys to Its Largest Port. The U.S. Navy May Abandon Israel

White House Adviser Jared Kushner (L), Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R)

How Kushner Played Matchmaker Between Israel and Saudi Arabia

The Arous brochure for European tourists.

The Mossad Ran a Fake Diving Resort for Tourists in Sudan. This Is the Incredible Story Behind It

Russian Navy frigate Admiral Essen sails in the Bosphorus, on its way to Syria, in Istanbul, Turkey August 25, 2018

Iran, Russia Prepare to Battle Each Other Over Control of Post-war Syria

This bone fragment ('Denisova 11') was found in 2012 at Denisova Cave in Russia by Russian archaeologists and represents the daughter of a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father.

Evolution's Holy Grail: 90,000-year-old Hybrid Teenager Stuns Science World

Illustration: A map.

A Golden Age for the Mossad: More Targets, More Ops, More Money

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset. July 2018

The Israel You Know Just Ended. You Can Thank Netanyahu

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a fundraiser in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, July 5, 2018

How the Saudis Made Canada the Loneliest Country in the World

Prime Minister Benjaim Netanyahu addressing a cybersecurity conference in Tel Aviv, June 2018.

This Was Bibi's Best Year. Next Year Could Be His Worst

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the U.K. opposition Labour Party, listens to a speech at the party's annual conference in Brighton, U.K., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015.

Why Corbynism Is a Threat to Jews Throughout the Western World

This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows a scene from 'The Meg.'

'The Meg' Violates the First Rule of Shark Movies

In this photo released by official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani addresses the nation in a televised speech in Tehran, Iran, Aug. 6, 2018.

Iran's ‘Insurance Policy’ Against an Israeli, U.S. Strike

Barak with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in Tel Aviv, 2011.

Israel's Threat Against Iran: How Netanyahu and Barak Stoked a War Scare to Pressure the U.S.

Michael Cohen exiting his hotel in New York City, U.S., July 2, 2018.

Cohen Turned on Trump at Holocaust-survivor Father's Urging

Netanyahu speaking before the World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem, October 21, 2015. - credit: AFP

Netanyahu: Hitler Didn't Want to Exterminate the Jews

U.S. President Donald Trump during a Make America Great Again rally at the Civic Center in Charleston, West Virginia, U.S., August 21, 2018.

Trump: Israel Will 'Pay a Higher Price' for Jerusalem Embassy Move

UAE navy soldier patrols at Al-Mokha port in Yemen, March 6, 2018. Picture taken March 6, 2018

Why Saudi Arabia and ‘Little Sparta’ Still Can’t Defeat Iran in Yemen

Syrian President Bashar Assad, left, greeting Syrians following the prayers of the first day of Eid al-Fitr, in Tartous, Syria, June 15, 2018.

Syria’s Assad Has Become Israel’s Ally

Moriel Rothman-Zecher.

Israeli Questioned at Ben-Gurion Airport Over Leftist Activity