ISRAEL: Israeli soldiers begin voting in state's general elections

Record ID: 327887

  • Title: ISRAEL: Israeli soldiers begin voting in state's general elections
  • Date: 20th January 2013
  • Summary: ASHDOD, ISRAEL (JANUARY 20, 2013) (REUTERS) SOLDIERS LINING OUTSIDE POLLING STATION TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS AHEAD OF ISRAEL'S GENERAL ELECTIONS SIGN READING IN HEBREW: "MILITARY POLLING STATION" SOLDIER CASTING BALLOT FEMALE SOLDIERS BEHIND TABLE OF BALLOT BOX SOLDIER VOTING SOLDIER CASTING BALLOT FEMALE SOLDIER REGISTERING NAMES VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS ON NAVY SHIP
  • Embargoed: 4th February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVABWIB0ZFMRD6TDTP2RZVBUAHBT
  • Story Text: Members of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) voted on Sunday (January 20) in the country's general elections which will open for civilians on Tuesday (January 22).
    In a naval base in the Israeli town of Ashdod, dozens of soldiers lined up outside the ballot station.
    Unlike civilians, soldiers don't get a day off on election day.
    The first polling station was opened on Saturday with the rest on Sunday (January 20) in some 60 polling stations. Over 700 voting offices will be set up in army bases across the country on Tuesday, according to an army spokesperson.
    Two polls on Friday showed Israel's right-wing and religious bloc winning a slim parliamentary majority of 63 out of 120 seats, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beitenu group on course to be the largest party in the Knesset, albeit with eroding support.
    Security for the country is likely to remain the government's priority with Netanyahu saying that dealing with Iran's nuclear ambitions is most important for him. Israel and the West suspect that Iran is working to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation Teheran denies.
    Despite the slippage in polls, Netanyahu is still in prime position to secure a third term in office. But a relatively weak showing at the ballot box would make him more susceptible to the demands of his prospective coalition partners.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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