Israel Election today: right-wing in danger

[Melech 9,900]

Israelis are voting on Tuesday in an election called last December by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The election culminates a strident, personal campaign that, to the surprise of many, finds the incumbent fighting for his political life against the once implausible challenger Isaac Herzog.

Ballots are being cast at 10,372 polling stations throughout Israel, and will remain open until 10:00 P.M. There are 5,881,696 Israelis (citizens over the age of 18) who are eligible to vote today for the 20th Knesset. 

The weather is expected to be good and many Israelis are likely to take outdoor advantage of the public holiday.

I will update this OP when something new is with the help of Haaretz.

 

Live updates

 

3:39 P.M. Lieberman: If you want to keep ISIS out of Israel, vote for me

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman, touring polling stations in Ashkelon, warned that a vote for any party other than his would amount to terrorist cells rising in Israel. "Whoever wants to prevent an ISIS branch and an Al-Qaida cell in Israel must vote for Yisrael Beiteinu," he said. (Haaretz)
 

3:37 P.M. MK Dov Khenin accuses Netanyahu of racism and incitement against Arab voters

Joint List candidate and MK Dov Khenin petitioned the Central Election Committee to remove the Likud campaign that casts Arab voters in a negative light.

"A prime minister who campaigns against voting by citizens belonging to an ethnic minority is crossing a red line of incitement and racism. This is especially severe on Election Day, when the message to Israeli citizens is to participate in the elections, vote, and take part in the democratic system. A statement like that, issued by the prime minister, shows that he has completely lost his way and that he is ready to break all the principles of democracy to safeguard his regime."

Meretz chairwoman Zehava Galon also slammed the prime minister, sharing his Facebook post and commenting laconically, "Serious warning: Israeli citizens are voting in the elections." (Haaretz)

3:21 P.M. As of 12 o'clock Tuesday, 29 percent of Israeli soldiers have cast their vote, almost three percent more than in the last elections. (Gili Cohen)

3:19 P.M. Herzog and Livni at the polling stations: Feel like we're going to make it

Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni, heads of the Zionist Union, have been touring polling stations across Israel since Tuesday morning. "I really feel that we're going to make it, I see that people are not just saying good luck to me out of politeness, they hold me and actually pray," Livni told Haaretz.

Herzog has been sticking to two lines on Tuesday, the first being that the voter has to decide between Netanyahu's despair and failure, and his change and hope; the second being an effort to engage Yesh Atid voters: "One less Knesset seat for Yesh Atid won't change anything. One more seat for us could give us the power to form the government," he said, adding: "I turn to Lapid's voters, if you want him in the government, you have to give us the power." (Nir Hasson) 

2:40 P.M. Voter turnout as of 2:00 P.M. stands at 36.7% (Haaretz)

2:35 P.M. Lieberman responds to Netanyahu on Twitter

Avigdor Lieberman on Twitter: "Netanyahu also knows that if the Arabs are voting in droves, only a strong Lieberman can stop them." (Barak Ravid)

2:20 P.M. Signs of increased voter turnout among Arab Israelis

There are signs of increased voter turnout among the Arab Israeli population relative to the previous election. There are reports of long lines outside of polling stations in Arab villages and towns, although officials from the Joint List are reluctant to express too much optimism. Joint List chairman Ayman Oudeh recently sent a message to party activists informing them of the apparent upward trend, though he also cautioned against being too complacent. (Jack Khoury)

 

1:45 P.M. Netanyahu: Right-wing gov't in danger - Arabs voting droves

Likud is troubled over high voter turnout in Arab community. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently uploaded a video to his Facebook page in which he said: "The right-wing government is in danger. Arab voters are coming out in droves to the polls. Left-wing organizations are busing them out. We have no V15, we have Order 8 [code for emergency call up to IDF reserve duty], we have only you. Get out to vote, bring your friends and family, vote Likud in order to close the gap between us and 'Labor.'"

[PokeHerFace 6]

Bibi just admitted that he's not for a two-state solution, which confirms that he's never wanted peace. Meanwhile, he blames Obama for not wanting peace over there. 

[gypsy45 86]

First Exit polls in 50 minutes!!!

[Noam Zioni 1,201]

HaLikud probably won the elections

[Luc 4,776]

Sadly Likud won. I hope there'll be a left-wing government though.

[Luiz 4,253]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/18/world/middleeast/israel-election-netanyahu-herzog.html?smid=re-share

[Dolev 867]

UGH! anyone would be better then Bibi right now. I was hoping for a change and personally voted for Herzog.

[River 127,407]

Sad day for Israel

I took a flight especially to come and to vote for Merez - the left wing.

I guess the majority of Israel likes to be poor, to live with fear, and to worship death.

No peace there.

I'm out of this country for good, I'll come back when the left will be at government..

[TiphEret 1,320]

I was expected something different but well **** the media creating hype and such and then reality happens...

[Dolev 867]

Sad day for Israel

I took a flight especially to come and to vote for Merez - the left wing.

I guess the majority of Israel likes to be poor, to live with fear, and to worship death.

No peace there.

I'm out of this country for good, I'll come back when the left will be at government..

​It's like they're actually enjoying it! and the most disturbing thing is that those who are suffering the most from Bibi are exactly those who are voting for him time after time and giving him the win!