Israel: In a historic fifth election in four years, Israelis cast ballots on Tuesday to end the political deadlock that has the nation in a coma. Benjamin Netanyahu, a longstanding incumbent and former prime minister, is seeking to make a comeback in this election.
Since the country’s longest-serving leader, 73-year-old Benjamin Netanyahu, was accused of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in 2019, the Jewish nation has been caught in an unparalleled era of political impasse.
At seven in the morning local time, polls opened. Although voting will end at 10 p.m., official results won’t be known until Wednesday. The formation of the government can take many weeks.
According to the Central Election Committee, voting patterns up to midday showed an increase in turnout, with 28.4% of Israelis exercising their right to vote—the highest percentage since 1999. (CEC).
The vote rate in the most recent election in March of last year was 25.4% at that time.
Voter turnout in the morning elections was also the highest since 1981. Approximately 1,760,076 voters, or 15.9% of eligible voters, have cast ballots as of 10 a.m., according to CEC Director General Orly Ades.
In contrast, only 14.8% of the electorate had cast ballots as of this point in the most recent election, which took place in March 2021. About 6.78 million Israeli Israelis who are eligible to vote will choose their 25th Knesset (Israeli Parliament).
The majority of opinion surveys forecast another deadlock in the election, although others predict an edge for the right-wing coalition led by Netanyahu who is trying to make a return.
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Next government appears to be heavily dependent on
The likelihood of the next government appears to be heavily dependent on two variables: the degree of right-wing polarisation, which may or may not favour seasoned politician Benjamin Netanyahu leading the coalition, and the shocking amount of political indifference among Arab voters.
The longest-serving and one of the most divisive prime ministers, Netanyahu is fighting for his political life as his leadership is dogged by graft allegations and at the epicentre of the current unrest.
He has thus far benefited from the unwavering support of his Likud party and other right-wing organisations.
In the 120-member Knesset, the bloc he led occasionally came tantalisingly near to the mystical 61 number, missing by by one representative.
For his Yesh Atid party, his chief adversary, interim Prime Minister Yair Lapid, is hoping for a strong performance that will help him rally the political forces opposed to a Netanyahu revival.
Last time around, Lapid was able to put together such a coalition government by bringing together odd bedfellows including Left, Right, and Center parties, as well as an Arab party, in an experiment that many regarded as historically significant.
In the morning, President Isaac Herzog voted in Jerusalem, urging people to use their right to vote at a time when billions of people in many countries do not have access to this essential democratic right.
Israeli democracy is real. Today, millions of voters will cast their ballots and determine the destiny and course of our country. There are many voices in this healthy democracy. Since so many countries and billions of people, sadly, do not have this right, we should constantly appreciate this great right that we do.
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The 62-year-old Israeli leader implored people not to believe differently, asserting that every vote counts.
“I want to emphasise once more that voting definitely has an impact. Anyone who believes that their vote has no significance is mistaken. Therefore, I urge every citizen of this nation to utilise their right to vote”. Herzog made this point.
After walking there with his wife Lihi, Prime Minister Lapid cast his ballot at a voting location close to his Tel Aviv residence.
“Good morning, cast your ballot carefully. Vote for the State of Israel, your children’s future, and your future in general, he said, giving the nod to his party, Yesh Atid (which translates to “there is a future”).
The 58-year-old politician began the day by paying a visit to his father Tommy Lapid’s tomb, a renowned journalist and writer who later entered politics.
Along with his wife Sara, Netanyahu voted in Jerusalem in the morning. He exhorted everyone to cast a ballot, describing it as a “wonderful honour.”
He urged Likud supporters to cast ballots for the party, warning his supporters that early voting statistics indicate increased turnout in Yesh Atid and “left-wing communities.” I’m a little concerned, he said, but with everyone listening to us, “I hope the day will conclude in a grin.”
In the meanwhile, it’s unlikely that the around 40 parties running will surpass the 3.25 percent vote threshold needed to gain admission to the Knesset.
A fascinating dimension will be added to the polls by the approximately 210,720 new voters who will be eligible to cast their first ballots, representing four to five seats.
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