Israel election live updates: Voter turnout surges with Netanyahu’s future on the line

Turnout is strong, with 44.9% reported to have voted by 2 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET). That’s the highest at that time since 1973.

For Arab voters, today's election is especially charged, coming after years in which the war in Gaza, soaring violence in the West Bank and tightening restrictions have been front of mind.

“This is a critical turning point," said interior designer Fadi Najjar, 62, a voter in the northern city of Haifa, who is hoping for an end to “a government of displacement, oppression, violence, and criminality.”

Arab citizens of Israel make up a fifth of the country’s population. A high Arab voter turnout could be a key factor in today’s election and the horse-trading that follows, though both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have ruled out governing with Arab-led parties that typically draw strong support from Arab-Israelis.

Najjar said he voted for the Joint List, an Arab-led coalition, saying he did not see any other viable options.

"Every seat occupied by an Arab representative meant one less seat available for the far-right, he said. “We hope to go to sleep tonight and wake up to good news — a government that respects all its citizens, and something…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world