Israelis count the remaining ballots from soldiers and absentee voters one day after national elections on April 10, 2019. Photo: Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90.

Israel’s municipal elections saw historically low voter turnout on Tuesday, paving the way for political upheaval in cities across the country. In the capital city of Jerusalem, only 34% of voters cast ballots, which, due to the fact that the city’s ultra-Orthodox population typically votes in high amounts, led to overwhelming electoral victories for Orthodox candidates.

Ultra-Orthodox parties received 16 of 30 seats on the council, and when combined with the other religious parties, topped 19 of 30. This was accompanied by a sweeping victory by incumbent Mayor Moshe Lion, who captured over 80% of the vote.

In Tiberias, another heated race took place, pitting the secular candidate Ron Kobi against a more religious one. In the end, Yossi Nevea, his challenger, beat him out 51%-22%.

Another closely watched election took place in Tel Aviv, where left-wing Mayor Ron Huldai was challenged by former Knesset member Orna Barbivai. Barbivai was endorsed by leading members of the government, including Opposition Leader Yair Lapid. Despite the support she received, Huldai won with 51% of votes and Barbivai took 37%. Less than 50% of voters in Tel Aviv cast ballots.

Despite Huldai’s victory, council seats across Israel were handily taken by ultra-Orthodox parties.

A political commentator on the community, Israel Cohen, told Israeli media: “Traditionally, the ultra-Orthodox have high voting percentages in elections because they do not come only because of their civic duty, but because of the call of the rabbis to go out and vote.”