Stories, News
Elections Day in Israel

I had some business to attend to in Tel Aviv, an no, it was not related to photography. The good thing, as you will see, is that I never leave without my cameras.

The guy I was supposed to meet on Tuesday forgot to tell me about the elections so around 11 am on that day I realized I’ve got nothing to do in Tel Aviv for the next 24 hours. I decided to drive to Jerusalem and spend the day walking in the old city. I got there precisely at 1 pm. While having lunch on the terrace of my favorite place in Jerusalem I decided to give it a shot and try to get in at the event organized by Likud Party in Tel Aviv, late that night in expectation of the first exit pols televised results.

To this day I don’t understand how that happened. From that initial thought and 3 phone-calls later, without a GPO card, I was expected in Tel Aviv to attend the event. The exit polls where scheduled for 10 pm and Bibi was expected to make his appearance no sooner than midnight. But I knew I have to be there no later than 8 if I really want to get in. And so I did. After shooting for 2 hours in Jerusalem I drove back to Tel Aviv. Only after my cameras where sniffed by a nice dog I realized that the impossible is about to be possible.

Here are a few images I took that day, both in Jerusalem and later in Tel Aviv.

Elections Day in Israel
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Israeli religious jew clenches his fists while praying facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures to supporters as he delivers his acceptance speech in Tel Aviv after his victory in the Israeli general elections early 23 January 2013. Netanyahu's combined Likud-Yisael Beitenu party won some 31 seats in the next Knesset (Parliament).
Israeli religious jew pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Reuven (Rubi) Rivlin serving as speaker of the Knesset seen gesturing while delivering a radio interview after the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli religious jews pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Israeli family enjoying a sunny elections day as they walk near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Israeli religious jews pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Poster depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen on the chairs while Likud supporters await for the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Likud supporters cheer as they hear hear the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli religious jews pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Israeli religious jews pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves the stage after delivering his victory speech after the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli religious jew pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Likud supporters cheer as they hear hear the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen few moments after his victory speech in Tel Aviv, early 23 January 2013, after his Likud-Yisrael Beitenu party won the largest number of Knesset seats in the general election. Security agent looks at the crowd while flanking the Prime Minister.
Reuven (Rubi) Rivlin serving as speaker of the Knesset seen delivering a radio interview after the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli religious jew pray near the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Israeli religious jews pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Reuven (Rubi) Rivlin serving as speaker of the Knesset seen gesturing while delivering a radio interview after the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli religious jews pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Israeli religious jew pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Shadow of an Israeli religious jew praying facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves to supporters and fellow Likud - Yisrael Beitenu members and ministers as Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beitenu party that merged with Likud, stands to his side (CR) as Netanyahu takes the stage do deliver his victory speech early 23 January 2013. Security agents flank both men left and right.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves to supporters as he delivers his acceptance speech in Tel Aviv after his victory in the Israeli general elections early 23 January 2013. Netanyahu's combined Likud-Yisael Beitenu party won some 31 seats in the next Knesset (Parliament).
Likud supporters cheer as they hear hear the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli religious jews pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Likud supporters cheer as they hear hear the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C R) and Avigdor Lieberman (C L) on stage with other Likud members who will be sworn in as Knesset members (Parliamentarians) in the next government, as the end of the victory appearance in Tel Aviv, early 23 January 2013.
Likud supporters cheer as they hear hear the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Likud supporters cheer as they hear hear the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves to supporters and fellow Likud - Yisrael Beitenu members and ministers as Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beitenu party that merged with Likud, is ready to deliver his speech (not in the image) early 23 January 2013. Security agent seen looking at the crowd while flanking the Prime Minister.
Likud supporters cheer as they hear hear the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli religious jew preparing to pray near the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Israeli religious jewsseen sleeping during pray, facing the Western Wall, on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Likud supporters cheer as they hear hear the first televised predictions of results in the Israeli general elections giving prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a lead in the pols, in Tel Aviv, Israel, 22 January 2013.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures to supporters as he delivers his acceptance speech in Tel Aviv after his victory in the Israeli general elections early 23 January 2013. Netanyahu's combined Likud-Yisael Beitenu party won some 31 seats in the next Knesset (Parliament).
Israeli religious jews pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
Israeli religious jews pray facing the Western Wall on a sunny elections day in Jerusalem, Israel, 22 January 2013. Israelis are voting in elections that are likely to deliver a handy victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud-Beteinu alliance amid high turnout. Approximately 5.6 million Israelis are eligible to vote and have to choose from more than 30 lists of parties in the proportional elections.
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