Ram Ben Barak denounces Religious Zionism as 'racist, anti-democratic' ahead of Tuesday's election

Survey also finds only 37% of respondents optimistic about future of democracy in Jewish state

Surveys ahead of Tuesday election -- the fifth since 2019 -- predict Israel's electoral deadlock set to persist, with no clear path to a coalition for PM Lapid or opposition leader

Committee chair says change would require Knesset legislation; Critics slam Likud for trying to limit ability of disabled to vote; party says loophole exploited by others

Central Bureau of Statistics figures Jews make up 77% of voters, Arabs 17%

Former PM, who's not running in next week's election, urges calming of discourse; Smotrich says his shortened military service should not disqualify him from being defense minister

Analysts say Likud's outreach to Arabs is aimed at calming fears and keeping turnout low, after several previous elections saw scare campaigns backfire and bring out the voters

Religion reporter Judah Ari Gross looks at Diaspora concerns in Israeli election and a Lubavitch libel in Moscow; environmental correspondent Sue Surkes previews UN climate confab

One poll finds 49% of Arab Israelis likely to cast ballot, while another suggests figure as high as 70%, both in contrast to past studies predicting well under half will vote

From the casting of the ballot to its arrival at the Central Elections Committee, Israel uses a variety of means to make sure the results of the elections can't be disputed