Israelis headed to polling stations Tuesday for the fourth time in two years, this time in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic that has forced a new format on election procedures. Special polling stations have been opened for those in coronavirus isolation and mandatory quarantine, and social distancing measures have been implemented at all polling places across the country.
One voter, a student at Hebrew University, told The Jerusalem Post that despite typically voting for right-wing parties, a potential coalition between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "extreme right-wing parties" and ultra-Orthodox parties caused him to vote for Labor.
This is partially because he sees Merav Michaeli as a "qualified and experienced politician, and a worthy candidate," and he hopes to see "an improvement in LGTBQ rights and further partnership with a larger variety of ideologies."
"Bibi is a villain, Gantz is a snake," a Tel Aviv voter told The Jerusalem Post, "and any sort hope that it can take down the tyrant."
"I have tuned out," another voter told the Post. "It would have felt wrong to not vote but at the same time it is four times in two years and I have only been here two years."
Voter Hodaya Karavani, said that elections are "a game that never ends, repeating every few months," but that in spite of this, she feels optimistic.
"I voted Bennett," Karavani said ahead of her night shift in the factory taking back the voting equipment used throughout the country. "He touched on subjects every Israeli should worry about the day after the election. whether its COVID, health issues, the economy, the safety of people in the North and South."
"I voted Labor," voter Revital Pollack said. "I'm religious, but I worry about a coalition that would push for laws that border on religious coercion. I think there should be public transportation available on Shabbat, I think everyone should have the right to marry whomever they want, and I worry about the removal of women from public spaces. The head of Labor being a woman didn't hurt either!"
Racheli Bergfeld explained her choice to vote for New Hope saying that she thinks party head Gideon Sa'ar "wants to maintain overall traditions while being more inclusive and accepting of marginalized communities [Palestinians and LGBTQ+].
"Additionally, he has plans to open the economy regardless of Corona, and it's about time," added Bergfeld.
Yehuda Broderick isn't optimistic about the outcome of elections. "I think there's a good chance we go to 5th elections, but I think that at some point the Israeli public will be fed up and there will be an end to this," said Broderick.
Another voter in Tel Mond told The Jerusalem Post that the second elections "have killed any hope I had for any sort of change.
"The third ones were the final nail in the coffin."
A voter at a Jerusalem polling station said that she is "not tired of voting," but that heading to the fourth elections in such a short time frame with no clear political outcome has left her "tired of the situation."
A new immigrant to Israel, voting for the first time, said that she was impressed by Israel's logistical handling of voting during the pandemic. She also expressed excitement at voting in Israel.
"It is a great feeling! I have to say it is way easier than voting in the US," she said, commenting on Israel's system in which every party has a designated ballot that voters put in the ballot box.
The voter expressed hope when asked what she thinks the outcome of the election will be. "I think that it will still be very difficult to form a government, but when one is eventually formed it will be more effective than before."
"It is unclear if this time a decision will be reached and perhaps additional elections are in order," said a student at Hebrew University's Medical school. In spite of this, "the feeling is good, the democratic system works well, people are showing concern and involvement with the country, and we're hoping for good," the student went on to say.