What Israelis are saying about today's elections

The polls are about to close and early results will soon be out, but many see no end to the country's political quagmire

Former Israeli prime minister and leader of the Likud party Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara greet supporters in Jerusalem as Israelis went to the polls on Tuesday. EPA

Mr Netanyahu greets supporters after the end of voting for the national elections. AFP

Prime Minister Yair Lapid addresses supporters at his campaign headquarters in Tel Aviv. EPA

The prime minister's wife Lihi Lapid, centre, cheers her husband. AFP

The leader of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) far-right party Itamar Ben Gvir at his party's campaign headquarters in Jerusalem. AFP

Otzma Yehudit party members in upbeat mood. AFP

A Likud party supporter responds to favourable exit polls. Getty

Supporters of Mr Netanyahu react as early exit polls suggest a comeback for the former leader. EPA

An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israeli selects his ballot paper on the day of Israel's general election at a polling station in Jerusalem. Reuters

Mr Netanyahu and his wife Sara cast their ballot at a polling station in Jerusalem in the country's fifth election in less than four years. AFP

A man kisses his dog after casting his ballot in Tel Aviv during the Israeli elections. AP

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid smiles as he casts his vote at a polling station in Israel's coastal city of Tel Aviv. Mr Lapid urged the electorate to cast their ballot after voting in an election that might lead to veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu making a comeback alongside far-right allies. Reuters

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, right, head of the new centre-right National Unity Party, and his wife Revital Gantz vote at a polling station in the city of Rosh Haayin in central Israel. AFP

Ultra-Orthodox Jews watch their Rabbi Israel Hager vote during Israeli elections in Bnei Brak. AP

An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man votes in Israel's parliamentary election at a polling station in Bnei Brak. AP

An Israeli man walks with a little girl towards the ballot box to cast his vote. AP

A little girl helps her mother cast her ballot on the day of Israel's general election at a polling station in Taibe, northern Israel. Reuters

Israelis queue to cast their ballots on the day of Israel's general election at a polling station in Tel Aviv. Reuters

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israelis wait to cast their ballots at a polling station in Jerusalem. Reuters

An Israeli man casts his ballot at a drive-through polling station for people quarantined as a result of Covid-19 in Jerusalem. Reuters

Today may be voting day in Israel, but after five elections in three years there is little public enthusiasm for the contest to be found on the streets of Jerusalem.

If all voters in Israel's election were like Naomi, though, turnout would be sky-high. The 22-year-old architecture student, who grew up in France, is full of energy, even though she has been up since the early morning.

It was her passion for the far-right Religious Zionism party, particularly its most famous politician, Itamar Ben-Gvir, that got her out of bed. “He stands for what people actually believe deep down. Only he has the courage to say it, particularly about terrorism.”

Outside a polling station on central Jerusalem's Hillel Street, Naomi and her fellow volunteers are manning a gazebo plastered with images of Mr Ben-Gvir. “I have already voted, but my friend here can't. He's 17, which makes him too young.”

But away from the buzz around Mr Ben-Gvir, whose increasingly noisy and extreme input could prove instrumental in putting former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu back in power, interest is distinctly patchy.

In a cafe a few minutes' walk away, music producer Ephraim, 35, is having a coffee opposite a particularly busy polling station. He is an example of how these elections could pass some Israelis by altogether. “Oh, that's why it is so lively,” he says, after he told why the area is crowded. “I didn't even realise people were voting there,” he says, listlessly.

Ephraim is not voting this time. “It's pointless, nothing changes and there will probably be another one in a few months.”

The barista of the cafe, Zahar, 24, was planning on voting, although she did not seem quite sure. “I'll probably vote for Labour after work,” she says hesitantly.

Her party is one of a number on Israel's left that are struggling to get noticed this time round. Liberal messages are going out of fashion as the right seizes momentum. Despite Zahar's lack of enthusiasm, she is nonetheless angry that everyone is talking about her ideological opponents. “It's depressing how many people my age like him,” she says about Mr Ben-Gvir's appeal.

Nearby, a group of women, who did not want to be named, were campaigning for the ultraorthodox Shas party. “Shas is a gift from God. Other parties are just politics. Shas is perfect!” Traditional religious parties such as theirs can always rely on a high turnout. Rabbis tell their communities how to vote, and the majority listen.

Despite this, the situation is still better than many politically engaged Israelis had feared.

Communications strategist Jason, 40, describes himself as living in “middle class, middle Israel suburbia city”. He reported a “steady flow” of voters at polling stations throughout his politically diverse neighbourhood.

The data seemed to be backing him up. Cumulative turnout figures were released every two hours. By 4pm they had reached 47.5 per cent, the highest level since 1999.

The data does not show who is voting. In Israel's complex system of proportional representation, this detail is key, particularly when it comes to the Arab vote, which this time round has been cast as the most troubled and important bloc of all.

While turnout overall may be on the high side, in Arab areas it will, as ever, be depressed, even though their vote could be pivotal in stopping a government led by Mr Netanyahu, which would probably include extreme-right, anti-Arab ministers.

As polls begin to close and campaigners pack up stands and move towards party headquarters, the picture from the streets is a mixed one and the drama is far from over.

The nature of a new government will not be clear for days. Israel may not even get one at all. In that case, the country can expect to see the same banners, the same politicians and the same mixed emotions in just a few months' time, in yet another election.

Ephraim at the cafe says that if that happens, more Israelis will give up voting like he has. “I want them to stop taking place, not because I care about politics, but because they are so expensive.” He will get an answer soon.