Israel voters go to polls for fourth time in five years, overall turnout reported high

Israel voters are going to the ballot box Tuesday for the fourth time in five years, with overall voting turnout reportedly high. 

The national election is another attempt to end the country’s ongoing political deadlock, with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not running as the incumbent for the first time in 13 years.

Netanyahu is trying to return to power as the leader of a conservative coalition, while centrist acting Prime Minister Yair Lapid is hoping to retain his post, according to CNN. 

By noon in Israel, nearly 30% of Israelis had voted, marking the highest turnout since 1999, according to i24 News.

However, the mostly Arab party of Hadash-Ta'al said that turnout was just 12% – far below last election's turnout of 44.6%, per the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Arab citizens make up 17% of the voting population. The low minority turnout may favor Netanyahu, because many Arab voters support left-wing parties. 

Three final Israeli TV network polls ahead of the election showed Netanyahu's conservative religious coalition one seat short of forming a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.