Arad’s ultra-Orthodox population reaches about 40% as disputes over public resources and shelters feature in Israel’s pre-election debate

Ahead of Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election, tensions over the growth of Arad’s ultra-Orthodox community have brought the southern desert town into focus. An AFP report says ultra-Orthodox residents make up about 40% of Arad’s roughly 30,000 people, while secular residents raise concerns about the use of municipal resources and public spaces.

Secular residents say some rocket shelters have been converted into prayer rooms, limiting their availability during emergencies. Former mayor Nisan Ben Hamo attributed the demographic shift to high birth rates and said successive governments had neglected the country’s geographic periphery while focusing on security. He urged secular and liberal Israelis to vote in greater numbers, saying conservative and religious groups were better organized.