Likud emerged the victor in the ballots of IDF soldiers, earning 46,405 votes, compared to second place Kadima with 39,003. Yisrael Beitenu received 24,524, Labor 20,709, and Meretz 5,980.

Central Election officials report a total of 3,416,587 Israelis voted, representing 65% voter turnout, with 43,097 votes disqualified for one reason or another. This includes dozens of voting slips with the name Gilad Shalit. The 2% minimum to enter Knesset stands at 67,470 votes. None of the 20 new parties competing will enter the 18th Knesset. They received a total of 104,000 votes which are discarded.

As a result, a mandate in Knesset demands 27,246 votes and the surplus votes will be divided as per surplus agreements signed by the parties. The final tabulation announcement is expected later in the week, clearing the way for President Shimon Peres to begin meeting with the representatives of parties.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)