Sdot Negev Heads to Polls Amid Legal Battles and Heated Campaign
Sdot Negev residents will vote for a new council head this Tuesday following Tamir Idan's departure, with the race marked by legal battles and social media disputes between candidates.
Residents of the Sdot Negev Regional Council near Gaza are heading to the polls this Tuesday to elect a new council head, following the departure of Tamir Idan, who served for nearly 14 years and moved to chair the Amidar housing company board.
Acting head Assaf Almasi is running for the position against Haggi Elder and Yoni Mamo, a former community center director in the council. However, the final days of the campaign have been marked by legal disputes alongside voter outreach efforts.
Almasi filed a contempt of court motion against Elder, alleging non-compliance with an election committee ruling regarding a published poll. The earlier decision stated the poll lacked required statutory details, prompting an order for Elder to clarify that the results did not reflect actual outcomes. Almasi now argues the directive was ignored and seeks sanctions.
Meanwhile, Mamo became entangled in social media disputes after his attorney issued defamation warning letters to women who published allegations against him, including claims of vote-buying and financial promises to electors. One of the individuals subsequently issued a public apology and retracted her statements.
As the three candidates enter the final stretch following the departure of the veteran council head and amid the complex security reality of the Gaza border region, the race for Sdot Negev is unfolding across polling stations, courts, and social platforms.
