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Live: Israeli general election 2009 Live: Israeli general election 2009
(10 minutes later)
By David Gritten Live coverage of the Israeli general election. We will be bringing you news, insights from correspondents, comments, and the best of the media. Please refresh the page for updates. (All times GMT, IST-2)By David Gritten Live coverage of the Israeli general election. We will be bringing you news, insights from correspondents, comments, and the best of the media. Please refresh the page for updates. (All times GMT, IST-2)
1015 The BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem says: I shared a coffee with three voters - all of whom have very different views. Michal is a student who's voting for Kadima; she remains optimistic - unlike many of her compatriots - about the chances for a peace deal with the Palestinians. She says that the fact that Kadima's leader, Tzipi Livni, is a woman matters: women are better at handling negotiations.
Amir is a law lecturer who's voting for the small, left-wing Hadash party; he's feeling much bleaker about Israel's prospects. He says it has lost its founding ideals. And Michael, a lawyer who'll be voting for the hard-right Israel Beiteinu party. He says it has the courage to raise issues - in particular, what to do with Israel's large Arab minority - which, for too long have been "swept under the carpet".
All of them agree that the election is only the start of the process: the coalition negotiations could take weeks.
1000 Following a company tradition of altering its logo on important occasions, Google Israel is marking election day with a special graphic. The "g" is wearing a badge saying "elections" in Hebrew.1000 Following a company tradition of altering its logo on important occasions, Google Israel is marking election day with a special graphic. The "g" is wearing a badge saying "elections" in Hebrew.
Meira, Israel, says: We just went out to vote between heavy rain showers. We pray we will get a stable government to replace the current useless lot, and get leaders who care about the true needs of our state, and not just their political careers.Meira, Israel, says: We just went out to vote between heavy rain showers. We pray we will get a stable government to replace the current useless lot, and get leaders who care about the true needs of our state, and not just their political careers.
0955 An Israeli Arab politician who is standing in the election, Ahmad Tibi, tells the BBC he is concerned about the rise of right-wing politics. "This country is lurching to the right," he says. "We are watching the ongoing phenomena of fascism and racism in Israel with the increase in power of Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of Israel Beiteinu, which is… calling for transferring and deporting Arabs and disqualifying Arab MPs from being elected."0955 An Israeli Arab politician who is standing in the election, Ahmad Tibi, tells the BBC he is concerned about the rise of right-wing politics. "This country is lurching to the right," he says. "We are watching the ongoing phenomena of fascism and racism in Israel with the increase in power of Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of Israel Beiteinu, which is… calling for transferring and deporting Arabs and disqualifying Arab MPs from being elected."
Avigdor Leiberman votes in NokdimAvigdor Leiberman votes in Nokdim
0945 Israel Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman, who voted at a polling station near his home in the West Bank settlement of Nokdim, called on "all of Israel's citizens - Christians, Muslims and Jews" to go out and vote, adding: "Those who have followed the election campaign know that there is one party that can get the job done."0945 Israel Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman, who voted at a polling station near his home in the West Bank settlement of Nokdim, called on "all of Israel's citizens - Christians, Muslims and Jews" to go out and vote, adding: "Those who have followed the election campaign know that there is one party that can get the job done."
0940 Eight Israelis from across the political spectrum have been telling the BBC who they will vote for in the general election and why. Read their comments here: Israeli elections: Voters' views0940 Eight Israelis from across the political spectrum have been telling the BBC who they will vote for in the general election and why. Read their comments here: Israeli elections: Voters' views
0930 Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sarah, have cast their votes in Jerusalem. "This felt good," he said afterwards. "The people want a change and they will choose it today. Those who want to embark on a new path would rally with the Likud and with me."0930 Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sarah, have cast their votes in Jerusalem. "This felt good," he said afterwards. "The people want a change and they will choose it today. Those who want to embark on a new path would rally with the Likud and with me."
Binyamin Netanyahu votes in JerusalemBinyamin Netanyahu votes in Jerusalem
0920 The BBC's Wyre Davis in Jerusalem says: It's been pretty slow this morning, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the campaign was lacklustre - a lot of Israeli voters are disappointed with the calibre of the candidates, many of whom they have seen before. The other problem is the very inclement, wintery weather across Israel today. Many people think there may be a record low turnout.0920 The BBC's Wyre Davis in Jerusalem says: It's been pretty slow this morning, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the campaign was lacklustre - a lot of Israeli voters are disappointed with the calibre of the candidates, many of whom they have seen before. The other problem is the very inclement, wintery weather across Israel today. Many people think there may be a record low turnout.
0915 Acknowledging the closeness of the race, the Maariv newspaper has published a reversible front page with portraits of Binyamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni, each captioned: "The next prime minister."0915 Acknowledging the closeness of the race, the Maariv newspaper has published a reversible front page with portraits of Binyamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni, each captioned: "The next prime minister."
The reader can then choose which way up to hold the paper.The reader can then choose which way up to hold the paper.
urig tweets: Low voter turnout an issue in today's Israel elections. To non-voters I say: fine by me - the less people vote, the more my vote counts! Read urig's tweets.urig tweets: Low voter turnout an issue in today's Israel elections. To non-voters I say: fine by me - the less people vote, the more my vote counts! Read urig's tweets.
Yair, Mazkeret Batya, Israel says: This is by far one of the more dull elections I've seen in Israel. There were few demonstrations and people seem very indifferent. Many of my friends have told me, much to my dismay, that they are not planning to vote.Yair, Mazkeret Batya, Israel says: This is by far one of the more dull elections I've seen in Israel. There were few demonstrations and people seem very indifferent. Many of my friends have told me, much to my dismay, that they are not planning to vote.
0900 Labour leader Ehud Barak, Israel's current defence minister, has also cast his ballot at a polling station in Tel Aviv. "I am sure we will emerge stronger from this day," he said. "The public believes that a strong Labor party can be an alternative to the Right."0900 Labour leader Ehud Barak, Israel's current defence minister, has also cast his ballot at a polling station in Tel Aviv. "I am sure we will emerge stronger from this day," he said. "The public believes that a strong Labor party can be an alternative to the Right."
Ehud Barak votes in Tel AvivEhud Barak votes in Tel Aviv
Yossi Verter of Haaretz writes: What started as one of the most boring, low-energy campaigns in memory has almost overnight turned into a political drama... But it is a drama with definite limits: It is already clear that the Likud-rightist-religious bloc will come out ahead. The question that generates the drama - whether Likud or Kadima will emerge as the largest party - is actually of secondary importance... The candidate who gets the president's nod to try to form a government next week will be the one with the best chance of doing so. Read Haaretz.comYossi Verter of Haaretz writes: What started as one of the most boring, low-energy campaigns in memory has almost overnight turned into a political drama... But it is a drama with definite limits: It is already clear that the Likud-rightist-religious bloc will come out ahead. The question that generates the drama - whether Likud or Kadima will emerge as the largest party - is actually of secondary importance... The candidate who gets the president's nod to try to form a government next week will be the one with the best chance of doing so. Read Haaretz.com
0850 Perhaps Ms Livni's confidence in her supporters' ability to cope with the poor weather stems from its apparently deep pockets. Labour and Likud have complained that their budgets cannot stretch to umbrellas and free transport like Kadima. "All of Kadima's activists get paid, but I'm sure the Likud members' motivation will prevail," said Reuven Rivlin, who heads Likud's election day headquarters.0850 Perhaps Ms Livni's confidence in her supporters' ability to cope with the poor weather stems from its apparently deep pockets. Labour and Likud have complained that their budgets cannot stretch to umbrellas and free transport like Kadima. "All of Kadima's activists get paid, but I'm sure the Likud members' motivation will prevail," said Reuven Rivlin, who heads Likud's election day headquarters.
yarival tweets: National elections here in Israel and I just voted. Hoping for a better future because it's about time. Read yarival's tweets.yarival tweets: National elections here in Israel and I just voted. Hoping for a better future because it's about time. Read yarival's tweets.
0840 Kadima leader Tzipi Livni has cast her vote in Tel Aviv. At the end of the final day of campaigning on Monday, she was optimistic. "I know we will win, because that's the right thing and it's what will happen," she told the newspaper, Yediot Ahronot. Referring to concerns that the weather might deter people from voting, she said: "Rain shouldn't scare people who are deciding their fate."0840 Kadima leader Tzipi Livni has cast her vote in Tel Aviv. At the end of the final day of campaigning on Monday, she was optimistic. "I know we will win, because that's the right thing and it's what will happen," she told the newspaper, Yediot Ahronot. Referring to concerns that the weather might deter people from voting, she said: "Rain shouldn't scare people who are deciding their fate."
Tzipi Livni casts her ballot in Tel AvivTzipi Livni casts her ballot in Tel Aviv
Andrea Moriah, Har Adar, Israel says: I am thinking about voting Bibi, but afraid he'll be pulled too far right. I want to vote Tzipi, but don't think she can pull it off. I'm thinking of tipping the balance with Barak, but know he's an anti-democrat. I'm off to vote.Andrea Moriah, Har Adar, Israel says: I am thinking about voting Bibi, but afraid he'll be pulled too far right. I want to vote Tzipi, but don't think she can pull it off. I'm thinking of tipping the balance with Barak, but know he's an anti-democrat. I'm off to vote.
0815 The BBC's Lyse Doucet says: The stormy weather is causing concern in an election in which every vote counts. The parties are worried that their supporters may not want to go out to cast their ballot. Some of the parties have even bought thousands of umbrellas to make sure they can get as many people out to vote as possible.0815 The BBC's Lyse Doucet says: The stormy weather is causing concern in an election in which every vote counts. The parties are worried that their supporters may not want to go out to cast their ballot. Some of the parties have even bought thousands of umbrellas to make sure they can get as many people out to vote as possible.
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A look at how the weather may affect turnoutA look at how the weather may affect turnout
0810 Israel has a system of proportional representation, where voters choose to back one of the parties, rather than an individual. The 120 seats in the Knesset are allocated in proportion to the number of votes each party receives. Candidates are allocated seats according to the order in which they appear on their party's list.0810 Israel has a system of proportional representation, where voters choose to back one of the parties, rather than an individual. The 120 seats in the Knesset are allocated in proportion to the number of votes each party receives. Candidates are allocated seats according to the order in which they appear on their party's list.
0808 The BBC's Tim Franks says: Avigdor Lieberman advocates re-drawing Israel's borders, he wants to annex some of the major Jewish settlements on occupied territory in the West Bank while handing over Israeli-Arab areas to the control of the Palestinians. Mr Lieberman is very unlikely to be prime minister, but he is likely to be a major player in the negotiations to build a governing coalition.0808 The BBC's Tim Franks says: Avigdor Lieberman advocates re-drawing Israel's borders, he wants to annex some of the major Jewish settlements on occupied territory in the West Bank while handing over Israeli-Arab areas to the control of the Palestinians. Mr Lieberman is very unlikely to be prime minister, but he is likely to be a major player in the negotiations to build a governing coalition.
0805 Opinion polls suggest the result will be close, after the centrist Kadima party headed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni made up ground during the campaign on the front-runner, the right-wing Likud party of Binyamin Netanyahu. The polls also point to a strong performance by the far-right Israel Beiteinu party, led by Avigdor Lieberman.0805 Opinion polls suggest the result will be close, after the centrist Kadima party headed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni made up ground during the campaign on the front-runner, the right-wing Likud party of Binyamin Netanyahu. The polls also point to a strong performance by the far-right Israel Beiteinu party, led by Avigdor Lieberman.
Israeli voters cast their ballotsIsraeli voters cast their ballots
0803 Voting started three hours ago (0700 local time) and will close at 2000 GMT (2200 local time). Some 5.3 million people are eligible to vote in more than 9,000 polling stations nationwide. However, heavy rain and strong winds forecast in many areas are expected to reduce the number of voters who turn out.0803 Voting started three hours ago (0700 local time) and will close at 2000 GMT (2200 local time). Some 5.3 million people are eligible to vote in more than 9,000 polling stations nationwide. However, heavy rain and strong winds forecast in many areas are expected to reduce the number of voters who turn out.
0800 Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Israeli general election. We will be updating this page throughout the day, bringing you insights from BBC correspondents, some of your emails and Twitter, and the best of the blogs, TV and press.0800 Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Israeli general election. We will be updating this page throughout the day, bringing you insights from BBC correspondents, some of your emails and Twitter, and the best of the blogs, TV and press.
Are you voting in Israel? Please send us your experiences.Are you voting in Israel? Please send us your experiences.
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