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Israelis vote in general election Israelis vote in general election
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Israelis have begun voting in a general election that is expected to return Binyamin Netanyahu at the head of another coalition government, albeit with fewer parliamentary seats and a more rightwing, hawkish bent.Israelis have begun voting in a general election that is expected to return Binyamin Netanyahu at the head of another coalition government, albeit with fewer parliamentary seats and a more rightwing, hawkish bent.
Opinion polls have predicted that the Likud-Beiteinu alliance – an electoral merger between the parties of Netanyahu and the hardline former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman – will get around 32-35 of the 120 seats in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. Opinion polls have predicted that the Likud-Beiteinu alliance – an electoral merger between the parties of Netanyahu and the hardline former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman – will get 32-35 of the 120 seats in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.
The significant drop from the current 42 seats held by the two parties is attributed largely to the draining of votes to the ultra-nationalist rightwing Jewish Home party, led by former commando and startup millionaire Naftali Bennett. Jewish Home – which is vehemently opposed to a Palestinian state and advocates the annexation of large chunks of the West Bank – is expected to become the third biggest party, with around 12 seats. But Netanyahu has also run a lacklustre campaign marked by tactical errors.The significant drop from the current 42 seats held by the two parties is attributed largely to the draining of votes to the ultra-nationalist rightwing Jewish Home party, led by former commando and startup millionaire Naftali Bennett. Jewish Home – which is vehemently opposed to a Palestinian state and advocates the annexation of large chunks of the West Bank – is expected to become the third biggest party, with around 12 seats. But Netanyahu has also run a lacklustre campaign marked by tactical errors.
The prime minister and his family cast their votes five minutes after the polls opened at 7am local time (0500 GMT). He said that despite the dry weather, he wished to see "a rain of ballots" for his party. "The stronger Likud-Beiteinu is, the easier it will be to lead Israel successfully," he added. He later visited the Western Wall in the Old City, leaving a note saying "With God's help, for the future of Israel" in the cracks between the ancient stones.The prime minister and his family cast their votes five minutes after the polls opened at 7am local time (0500 GMT). He said that despite the dry weather, he wished to see "a rain of ballots" for his party. "The stronger Likud-Beiteinu is, the easier it will be to lead Israel successfully," he added. He later visited the Western Wall in the Old City, leaving a note saying "With God's help, for the future of Israel" in the cracks between the ancient stones.
After Bennett and his wife cast their votes in Ra'anana, an affluent suburb of Tel Aviv, the unexpected star of the three-month election campaign sang Hatikva, the Israeli national anthem, outside the polling station.After Bennett and his wife cast their votes in Ra'anana, an affluent suburb of Tel Aviv, the unexpected star of the three-month election campaign sang Hatikva, the Israeli national anthem, outside the polling station.
Around 18% of the public had not decided which party to vote for, according to the last opinion polls to be published before the election. In theory they could dramatically change the expected outcome, or boost the prospects of smaller parties. There are more than 30 parties contesting the elections for the 19th Knesset. Around 18% of the public had not decided which party to vote for, according to the last opinion polls to be published before the election. In theory they could dramatically change the outcome, or boost the prospects of smaller parties. There are more than 30 parties contesting the elections for the 19th Knesset.
The polls close at 10pm, and 85% of the votes will be counted overnight. Turnout is expected to be around 65% of the 5.6 million eligible voters, although the number of Israeli-Arabs – 20% of the population – is likely to be lower. The polls close at 10pm, and 85% of the votes will be counted overnight. Turnout is expected to be around 65% of the 5.6 million eligible voters, although the proportion among Israeli Arabs – 20% of the population – is likely to be lower.
President Shimon Peres urged Israelis to exercise their right to vote. "In 65 years of existence Israel went through seven wars but never lost its democratic freedom. We fought for our survival but never gave up our democracy. We are a unique country; neither war nor trouble can overcome freedom. Today is a celebration of that democracy," he said.President Shimon Peres urged Israelis to exercise their right to vote. "In 65 years of existence Israel went through seven wars but never lost its democratic freedom. We fought for our survival but never gave up our democracy. We are a unique country; neither war nor trouble can overcome freedom. Today is a celebration of that democracy," he said.
Election day is a holiday in Israel, with schools, banks and government offices closed, and many employees are given a day off. Election day is a holiday in Israel, with schools, banks and government offices closed, and many employees given a day off.
One parliamentary candidate, Meirav Cohen of Hatnua, led by Tzipi Livni, gave birth to a baby girl a few hours before the polls opened.One parliamentary candidate, Meirav Cohen of Hatnua, led by Tzipi Livni, gave birth to a baby girl a few hours before the polls opened.