Politicians, including prime ministerial candidates, MKs and party leaders set a public example as they went out to cast their ballots, beginning in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the day of Israel's fourth elections in two years.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara voted together in Katamon, Jerusalem.
"We are going out to exercise the democratic right, and for me it is especially exciting to come with my wife who has had a very difficult week. I thank you for all the wishes of Israeli citizens, you touched our hearts and moved us. Sarah is healthier and voting," said the prime minister
Yesh Atid head and assumed prime ministerial candidate Yair Lapid went to vote and urged his supporters, "We need your vote to make Yesh Atid a big powerful force for change. For a big change you need a big party!"He was the the first politician of the day to release a statement in English.
He added that his party has the "chance to restore sanity to Israel" and create "a government that will fight corruption and reject religious coercion."
President Reuven Rivlin cast his last vote as president today. Afterwards, he expressed his worry and the necessity that people go out and vote in this election: "I beg of you – go out and vote! I'm voting for the last time as president, but above all as a worried citizen – a very worried citizen."
He sentimentally reflected on his final vote as president: "So my dears, for the last time, from my heart to yours, please go and vote. For the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and us."
"Today, people are voting and preventing racists from entering the Knesset for the ideological choice for true equality and partnership, for peace and against the occupation, for democracy and social justice for all citizens," Odeh tweeted.