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Israelis Head to the Polls: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Today’s Elections (Plus: How Did Google Mark the Day?)

Jan. 22, 2013 8:43am Sharona Schwartz

As Israelis Head to Polls, Netanyahu Prays in Jerusalem and Google Marks Day with Special Doodle

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu votes (photo from Netanyahu’s Facebook page)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasted no time Tuesday morning and headed to his polling station shortly after it opened at 7am this morning. Netanyahu, along with his wife Sara and their two adult sons Yair and Avner, arrived at the Ben Gurion School in Jerusalem to vote.

Thirty-four parties are vying for 120 seats in the Israeli Knesset. Among them, Netanyahu’s Likud-Beiteinu party.

He told journalists there: “We want Israel to succeed, we vote Likud-Israel-Beitenu…The bigger it is, the more Israel will succeed.”

“This is the first time the whole family votes together. I keep saying that the Likud-Israel Beiteinu represents the whole people and in this case the whole family. Anyone who wants Israel to succeed should vote for one large party.”

“We call on all young people to vote Likud-Beiteinu, even if it’s not the fashionable choice,” his son Yair Netanyahu said.

After they cast their ballots, he and his sons visited the Western Wall – the holiest site in Judaism – where the prime minsiter placed a note.

Israeli media reported that his note read: “With God’s help, for the future of Israel.”

While there, Netanyahu told reporters: “I come to the Western Wall each time to touch the rock [foundation] of our existence, and I say a prayer for the future of the State of Israel and the future of our people.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the Western Wall after voting (Photo from Netanyahu’s Facebook page)

Though Likud-Israel Beiteinu is expected to receive the most Knesset seats, Netanyahu will still need to form a coalition government with smaller parties, and it could take days or even weeks for Netanyahu to cobble together that coalition. Netanyahu could join forces with the Jewish Home party, headed by Naftali Bennett – a religious party that opposes any territorial compromise with the Palestinians, or he could choose to tack left and invite more centrist parties like Yesh Atid, Kadima or Hatnua into his coalition. The latter choice would likely be met with approval by the Obama administration, which has been outspoken in its criticism of Netanyahu’s decisions to build more Jewish housing in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

More than five and a half million Israelis are eligible to vote, and there are more than 10,000 ballot boxes positioned at schools nationwide. Election Day is a national holiday in Israel, and many families took advantage of the good weather to visit national parks. Stores were offering sales and cafes and restaurants were full with those who had the day off.

Google also joined in the festive atmosphere, constructing this “Google Doodle” on its Israel homepage:

Here are more quotes from the Israeli candidates after they cast their ballots, as conveyed by the Israeli media:

Labor Party’s Shelly Yachimovich, a fierce rival of Netanyahu, voted in Tel Aviv and said, “It’s not a dream, it can be done, a few more seats and Bibi [Benjamin Netanyahu] won’t be the prime minister.”

She added, “Don’t be lazy, step out of your homes, and we can do this.”

Jewish Home party Chairman Naftali Bennett said, “when I see everyone – secular, religious, Arabs, Druze – joining the Jewish Home, I know that this is the beginning of something new for the nation of Israel.”

Hatnua leader Tzipi Livni said that “anyone who understands that Netanyahu’s policies must change, should give me the power to change the path and take the reins. All the spins and tricks are over and there will be dramatic decisions.”

Yair Lapid who heads Yesh Atid said, “This is the first time I’m voting for myself. It’s a very special feeling. I hope everyone goes out to vote and take part in this political celebration.” Before entering politics several months ago, Lapid was a prominent journalist on Israel’s Channel 2 and for the Yediot Aharonot newspaper.

Kadima Chairman Shaul Mofaz said, “I feel great, it will be wonderful. Whoever wants to choose security and experience should vote Kadima.”

President Shimon Peres – who is not running – said: “Today the state is asking citizens to vote for a free, beautiful, democratic country.” The Israeli presidency is largely a ceremonial position, while the prime minister heads the government.

In an editorial Tuesday, the Washington Post noted the “notoriously bad relations” between Netanyahu and President Barack Obama over the past four years and that Netanyahu “calculates that being seen to stand up to this U.S. president is good politics in Israel — and he may be right.”

The paper urged the leaders to move toward each other and try to “reset” their relationship, writing:

The question is whether the incumbent will choose, or perhaps be obliged by the electoral math, to include parties from the center and left in his coalition. If he does not, Mr. Netanyahu could find himself isolated both within his own government and internationally: He is one of only two of the top 30 candidates from his own Likud Party to endorse Palestinian statehood.

For that reason, the wise U.S. policy would be to concede, and maybe even welcome, Mr. Netanyahu’s reelection while quietly urging him to construct a centrist government. In the coming months Israel and the United States will likely have an urgent need to communicate clearly and cooperate closely on the threat of Iran’s nuclear program; and they must try to preserve the prospect of Palestinian statehood. Mr. Obama and Mr. Netanyahu may be political foils, but as each begins a new term their deeper interest lies in a reset of their relationship.

Israeli television stations will announce their exit polls at 10pm local, or 3pm U.S. Eastern time. After that, the head of the largest party will begin negotiations to form a coalition with smaller parties, a process allocated 28 days.

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Comments (26)

universalphilos
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 1:20am
A prophecy, February 16, 1974: “We have given forth this knowledge, that the Christ child is born upon your earth now. Let the Eagle [U.S.A.] spread its wings and continue to protect. Yet, the fuse has been lit from France unto Israel. And we say once again, let the Eagle spread its wings and protect.”

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FreeUsAll
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 11:23am
We need an additional 2 or more parties in our system. Open up the discussion! Go LP!

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PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 10:01am
@SOY – what you say is true. Republicans have signed a Consent Decree which bars them from challenging voter fraud in urban areas they will never win over the takers. Democrats have organized and know how to rig elections.
If a Strong 3rd Party can’t break through we’re done.

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vincijoey49
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 10:01am
Go BiBi

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soybomb315_II
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:49am
When it comes to election process, Israel has it correct….So do most democratic countries, except for USA
_______________________________
Countries with multiparty system:
England, Israel, Germany, France, most of EU, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, India

Countries with two-party system:
USA, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, most of Africa

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- ranepowel
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 12:04pm
  Also most of those countries you listed have universal (“socialist”) healthcare and extremely strict gun control.
  
  Nah, let’s ignore that, though.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 12:54pm
  @ ranepowel
  
  Show me a democratic country that does not have socialism. Hard to find because that is the way the advanced countries have moved.
  
  But Socialism is not due to multiple parties….Obviously we have socialism – how do you explain that? You made a silly statement about two things that have nothing to do with each other…. That is like saying blaming obesity on the rain
  
  Report this comment
willingtoupe
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:29am
Obama needs to get serious about our debt , deficit, start working with the G.O.P and stop giving out freebees and welfare that we cannot afford to Israel.

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- Gonzo
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:40am
  So you recommend that we START with out friends? There is a long list of countries we should cut off before we get to Israel…you know, the ones that want us all dead?
  
  Report this comment
- Gonzo
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:45am
  our friends
  
  Report this comment
tzion
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:27am
Jewish Home party Chairman Naftali Bennett said, “when I see everyone – secular, religious, Arabs, Druze – joining the Jewish Home, I know that this is the beginning of something new for the nation of Israel.”

So even the most right wing party of Israel isn’t advocating for a state of only Jews. So much for Jerk’s “ethnically pure state” accusations.

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momrules
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:13am
I sure hope Mr. Netanyahu is re-elected. Israel needs to keep that man right where he is. Even rougher times are ahead for their country and he is the right man to lead them.

God bless Israel.

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:11am
Good luck Israel, choose well.

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- rose.777
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:33am
  I love Israel
  
  Report this comment
azcowboy1
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:09am
I bet BIBI’s speech will be better than want I didn’t hear yesterday.
jH…

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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:02am
.
Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Today’s Elections…..

The Free Lunch Slaves won’t win…..

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Gonzo
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 8:56am
Be smarter than we were Israel!

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AUsername
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 8:56am
has nothing to do with America and hopefully they vote the war monger out.

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soybomb315_II
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 8:55am
“Thirty-four parties are vying for 120 seats in the Israeli Knesset. Among them, Netanyahu’s Likud-Beiteinu party.”

“Though Likud-Israel Beiteinu is expected to receive the most Knesset seats, Netanyahu will still need to form a coalition government with smaller parties, and it could take days or even weeks for Netanyahu to cobble together that coalition. Netanyahu could join forces with the Jewish Home party, headed by Naftali Bennett – a religious party that opposes any territorial compromise with the Palestinians, …..”
__________________________

why is it that Israel has 34 choices, but we only have 2? Arent we supposed to be the beacon of freedom? Wouldnt it be nice if the republicans had to form coalition government with Constitution and Libertarian Party????

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- tzion
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:24am
  One word: primaries. By allowing the people to pick the candidates it forcibly weeds out all the others. Moreover, we have been conditioned to believe that winning a primary is necessary to become a serious contender. Get rid of primaries and having multiple parties becomes far more likely because all those primary candidates would need individual endorsements.
  
  Report this comment
- PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:27am
  Yes, but that would take a new Constitution and at this point would be disastrous because the Left in America now have 115 major tax exempt foundation with $104.56 Billion. That is TEN times more than the 75 of the Right. 0 has begun his new “Organizing for Action”.
  http://www.frontpagemag.com/2013/mathew-vadum/obama-prepares-to-community-organize-america/
  
  The only way for Constitutional Conservatives and Libertarians is to form a Strong Third Party.
  The Republicans have sold us out and become Progressive with the Democrats have moved FAR Left into Communism. We have no voice in either – both have been corrupted and take orders from the UN, OIC and Soros, Rockefeller groups.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:29am
  if there were no primaries, the republican party would have selected Romney and in november everyone would still be voting ‘lesser of two evils”, “throwing vote away”, etc.
  
  If we had proportional representation in electoral college instead of “winner take all” states, it would solve all of our election problems….and it would give us better outcomes
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:45am
  @Pigs
  Tell me exactly why it would “take a new constitution”. The constitution says nothing about political parties or how the electoral college system will be populated – that is determined by the states. The republican and democrat parties have walled themselves off from competition by rigging the election process, so forming a 3rd party under the existing rules will not be successful
  
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- FreeUsAll
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 11:20am
  I hear you loud and clear, Soy. I was thinking the exact same thing. We need to add some more parties to the ticket. Let’s start with Libertarians (yay!) and the Greens. With that we can actually start to have a more honest and open debate.
  
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netmail
Posted on January 22, 2013 at 8:54am
Restore, not ‘reset’. ‘Reset’ is just more compromising with evil.

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- circleDwagons
  Posted on January 22, 2013 at 9:44am
  Only GOD can restore.
  
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