Title: Haifa Mayoral Election Campaign Heats Up as Demonstrations Drive Voter Interest
Date: September 12, 2023
The upcoming mayoral election in Haifa, scheduled for October 31st, has been marked by creativity and intrigue, fueled by ongoing demonstrations against judicial reform and an eagerness among protestors to assert their power and influence. This observation was made in a recent survey conducted by “Lazar Researches” led by Dr. Menachem Lazar, in collaboration with panel14all.
One of the most significant developments in the race for mayor is the decline in support for the incumbent mayor, Einat Kalish Rotem. According to the survey, Kalish Rotem received only a few percentage points of support among respondents. Meanwhile, former mayor Yona Yahav, who was defeated by Kalish Rotem in the previous election, is currently leading in the race. However, with the decision date still far away, a second round of voting remains a possibility. The survey predicts a potential second round between Yahav and David Etzioni, with Yahav obtaining 28% of the votes and Etzioni receiving 16%. Notably, around one-third of respondents have yet to decide on their preferred candidate, suggesting that changes are likely as the election date approaches.
When considering respondents who have expressed their opinion by mentioning any candidate’s name, Yahav maintains a lead with 42% of support, compared to 25% for his closest competitor, the candidate identified as Zionist. This indicates that Yahav has a higher chance of winning, possibly even in the first round.
The survey was conducted on September 10-11, 2023, and involved 401 respondents, who constituted a representative sample of Haifa residents aged 17 and above. The maximum sampling error in the survey is stated to be 4.9%.
In response to the question of which candidate they intend to vote for, the survey revealed the following results among all respondents: Yona Yahav – 28%, David Etzioni – 16%, Yaakov Borovsky – 6%, Einat Kalish Rotem – 5%, Avihu Han – 4%, Zvika Barbi – 4%, Sharit Golan – 3%. Additionally, 34% of respondents stated that they had not yet decided who to vote for.
Yona Yahav’s campaign headquarters expressed confidence in his victory, citing the Maariv poll as one among many that indicate his successful path to reclaiming the mayoral office. They stressed Yahav’s commitment to the city and his readiness to address future challenges upon resuming office on October 31st.
David Etzioni’s campaign headquarters emphasized a clear trend in the surveys, with the battle primarily between Yahav and Etzioni. They highlighted a majority desire for change and progress, leading to increasing support for Etzioni and a narrowing gap between the two frontrunners. Furthermore, Etzioni’s campaign called on other candidates, including Borovsky, to withdraw and unite with him to avoid dragging Haifa into a second round if the city’s best interests are a priority. They expressed confidence in Etzioni’s victory, both in the first round or subsequently.
Kalish Rotem’s campaign headquarters acknowledged the lack of consensus surrounding acceptable candidates among the Haifa public, as highlighted in this survey and previous ones. They urged Haifa residents to carefully analyze the city’s unique election system and avoid being swayed by manipulative tactics that could cloud their judgment.
With the election just weeks away, the race for Haifa’s mayoralty promises to deliver drama and excitement as candidates strive to secure their positions and address the concerns of the city’s residents.