Ballots being counted on March 4, 2020. (Flash90)
In the run-up to the March 2020 Knesset election, one major question was what voter turnout would look like. Israel had never had a political stalemate that led to two consecutive elections, let alone three, and many feared that voter apathy and disapproval of the gridlock would keep people at home.
In the end, over 71.5 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, one of the highest turnouts in decades, topping the 68.46% that showed up in April 2019 and 69.83% that voted less than six months later.
One thing that may have helped turnout was the coronavirus. While most restrictions on travel were not yet in place, by March 2, the Health Ministry was already urging Israelis to not go abroad, El Al was laying off employees and Israelis who had been in China, Italy and some other destinations were being forced into a 14-day quarantine, with expectations that the roster of destinations would only expand. Many who had travel plans would up
To Israel, converts are still just a political football – The Forward forward.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from forward.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Entire families with baby carriages and suitcases were spotted walking along the highways to the city, mainly along Route 443, Bar Giora Road and Ein Hemed Road.
Jerusalem celebrates the Purim holiday later than the rest of the world, and the holiday continues into Sunday in the city rather than ending on Friday evening. On Friday, the coronavirus cabinet ordered that public transportation to and from Jerusalem cease operations until midnight Monday to prevent large prevent large gatherings and celebrations during the holiday.
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A family walks to Jerusalem, today.Credit: Emil Salman
Judges say converts through non-Orthodox denominations in Israel must be considered Jews for citizenship purposes; chief rabbis fume; Orthodox parties vow law to overturn ruling