Despite unpleasant weather, tens of thousands of Israelis filled national parks and crowded shopping malls on Election Day Tuesday, as many Israelis had time off of work.
Four new parks were opened for the first time on Election Day: Tel Dor and Migdal Zedek in Rosh HaAyin, and Han Sha'ar and the Ein Hinya Spring in Jerusalem.
The Yarkon Tel Afek park and Ashkelon parks had about 3,500 visitors each by the afternoon, Caesarea had about 2,300 and Masada about 1,900.
The Environmental Protection Ministry announced on Tuesday afternoon that air pollution was 15-20 times higher on Election Day than on a regular day.
The weather was unusually hot and dusty as Israel's Election Day rolled around.