Israel Elections: Politicians, public figures, cast their ballots

Politicians and public figures across Israel began voting early Tuesday morning.

MARCH 23, 2021 22:16

Ra'am Party leader Mansour Abbas casts his vote at a voting station in Maghar, during the Knesset Elections, on March 23, 2021. (photo credit: FLASH90) — Ra'am Party leader Mansour Abbas casts his vote at a voting station in Maghar, during the Knesset Elections, on March 23, 2021.

(photo credit: FLASH90)

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."

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Meretz head Nitzan Horowitz voted, and said, "Bibi is praying that Meretz won't pass."

Yamina chairman and prime ministerial candidate Naftali Bennett voted in Ra'anana accompanied by his wife Gilat.

Shas leader and Interior Minister Aryeh Deri was first seen to go out and vote shortly after he prayed at the tomb of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef founder of the Shas movement.

Shortly after Deri, countless appearances of politicians and people of note began to build throughout the morning.

New Hope party leader and prime ministerial candidate Gideon Sa'ar was seen voting with his wife and children.

Similarly, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein was seen smiling with his wife Irina.

Labor head Merav Michaeli, seen at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square, spoke to Israeli media outlets making an early morning statement urging voters to go cast their vote.

"These are very important elections because we have tremendous power in our hands; everyone has enormous power in their hands," Michael said.

Explaining why she chose Rabin Square, she said that, "In 1995, Rabin was assassinated and the State of Israel has since moved away from the Zionist vision. I'm determined to return The State of Israel and the Labor Party to Rabin's vision."

Yamina MK Ayelet Shaked also urged voters to cast their ballots, and after her appearance at the polling station tweeted, "Go vote [Yamina], the only vaccine against fifth elections."

Head of the Yisrael Beytenu Party, Avigdor Liberman, together with his wife, Ella, voted in a polling station near their house in Nokdim.

Education Minister Yoav Gallant was seen happily voting.

Otzma Yehudit Party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir also seemed cheery.

Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas casted his vote at a voting station in Maghar.

Joint List Party leader Ayman Odeh gave his ballot at a voting station in Hafia.

"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.