In Israel, most Palestinians cannot vote in the elections because they are not considered Israeli citizens. About only 1.5 million Palestinians may vote, while 2.5 million may not. However there is a new initiative called Real Democracy that is being tried by some in Israel and it is gaining both traction and interest.
Rea; Democracy allows people voting in the Israeli elections to "donate" their vote to ineligible Palestinians. Because of Israeli policy regarding the movements of both Israeli citizens and Palestinians between the West Bank and the rest of Israel, this entire process is done online, mostly using Facebook. Israelis and Palestinians are "paired up", the Palestinian chooses who they would like to vote for, and then the Israeli votes for those people, regardless of their own views or opinions.
Personally I think that this is a very interesting idea and system. I think that is is admirable that there are those willing to sacrifice their own vote in order to help those who's ability to vote is being suppressed. I wish that this sort of camaraderie and caring extended into all politics.
I think that this article, and Real Democracy are relevant to our course because they are dealing with the issues between Israel and Palestine, specifically those regarding the rights of the people. One cannot look at Israel and/or Palestine without looking at the rights, or lack of rights in some cases, and how they effect the people living there.
-Arles Netherwood-Schwesig
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21087019
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