This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7880487.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
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)
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."
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.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
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.
Name
 Name