Severe Floods and Highway Closures Disrupt Voting Across Southern Israel
Severe floods and highway closures in southern Israel have trapped voters on Tuesday, prompting political parties to petition the Central Election Committee for extended voting hours.
Severe weather and flash floods across southern Israel have disrupted voting on Tuesday, leaving numerous residents stranded on blocked highways and unable to reach polling stations before closing time. Police have closed major arteries, including Route 90 from Eilat to Dimona and Ein Gedi, due to dangerous flooding, affecting voters in the Tamar Regional Council and the community of Neot HaKikar south of the Dead Mountain.
Stranded Voters and Political Appeals
Yonatan Stern, a resident of Neot HaKikar, described the plight of stranded travelers stuck at the Arava Junction. Local citizens have reported being unable to return home to cast their ballots, with calls to the Central Election Committee and police going unanswered. Stranded voters have urged authorities to extend voting hours or reopen the roads.
In response to the crisis, political parties submitted formal requests to the Central Election Committee, headed by Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Solberg, demanding an extension of voting hours. The Likud party initiated the appeal, joined by Otzma Yehudit led by Itamar Ben Gvir, Shas led by Aryeh Deri, the Amcha Yisrael party led by Ofer Winter, the BeYachad alliance led by Naftali Bennett, and The Democrats led by Yair Golan. Meanwhile, the Yashar! party led by Gadi Eisenkot opposed the extension. The Central Election Committee announced it would review the request.
Widespread Infrastructure Disruptions
Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods across southern streams, spanning from Eilat through the Negev to the northern Arava and the Dead Mountain region. All routes leading to and from Eilat remain closed to vehicular traffic, though departures toward Ramon Airport are permitted. Police urged drivers to avoid closed roads and strictly follow instructions from officers in the field.
Extensive road closures include significant portions of Route 90 around the Dead Mountain and the Dead Sea, Route 57 from Adam Junction to Beka'ot Junction, Route 25 from Tzofit Junction to Arava Junction, and segments of Route 40, Route 13, and Route 12. Meteorological data recorded 17 mm of rain within three hours at Mount Shlomo near Eilat, while Neot Smadar in the Arava recorded 8.4 mm—approximately a quarter of its average annual rainfall.
