Where Israelis spent Election Day after going to the polls

Whether it was doing an early morning workout, exploring the flavors of the bustling market, or tanning by the beach - Israelis took advantage of their government-mandated day off
Assaf Kamar|
Israelis again went to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the country's fifth elections in the past three years. But, the public took advantage of Election Day, which is a government-mandated holiday, to sleep in late, shop, or pay a visit to nature reserves.
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  • Israeli karate champion Hagar Finer, for example, conducted a special morning workout at her gym.
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    הגר אלופת עולם
    הגר אלופת עולם
    Hagar Finer's morning workout
    (Photo: Asaf Kamer)
    Finer circled around the studio to give pointers to her cleints, and made sure to tell them all to vote after the early workout.
    "This time I'm going to vote for Yair Lapid, I have known him since his days in karate," she said. "He practiced for many years in Kyokushin, a style which is considered very difficult."
    Meanwhile, crowds of people bustled about Tel Aviv's Carmel Market. Stand owners organized their merchandise ahead of the day, which they know to be one that brings a lot of business.
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    גילי מנשרוף
    גילי מנשרוף
    Gili Manshrof
    (Photo: Asaf Kamer)
    "I haven't gotten to voting yet because I woke up early to organize the good," said one of the merchants, Gili Manshrof.
    On Election Day, workers get paid 200% of their standard wage.
    In one of the stalls, market merchant Tikvah spent the day making fruit juices, and the line for her refreshing treat got longer as the day went by.
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    תקווה
    תקווה
    Tikva's juice stand
    (Photo: Asaf Kamer)
    "I'm happy with the Election Day, and I'm calling on everyone to go out and vote," she said. "Today crowds of people will come to the market, but I am an independent and work alone in the stall, so my revenue is the same as any other day."
    Another attraction that was favored by Israelis was the beach. Even though it is already November and swimming season is over, many citizens still posted up on the sand to tan, and enjoy the sight of the blue water.
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    חוף ים בתל אביב
    חוף ים בתל אביב
    Tel Aviv beach
    (Photo: Asaf Kamer)
    In addition, some 130 thousand people opted to visit the country's national parks and nature reserves.
    Among them, the Caesarea National Park that saw 5,800 visitors, and the Masada National Park that saw 3,400 tourists.
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