Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Meirav Eilon Shahar casts his vote in Hanoi. Photo: courtesy Israeli embassy in Vietnam.

Times of Israel – The vast majority of Israel’s 5.6 million eligible voters will have to wait until January 22 before they can cast their ballot, but for 4,290 Israeli diplomats stationed in 96 embassies and consulates around the globe, elections started late Wednesday, Israeli time, and are continuing throughout Thursday until 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Israel’s ambassador to New Zealand, Shemi Tzur, was the first Israeli to cast a ballot in the elections to the 19th Knesset, followed by about eight other Israeli diplomats based in sunny Wellington. “Elections are always something very important, and we happen to have the good fortune to be the first ones doing it. This is really very moving,” Tzur said. “We’re a small team far from Jerusalem. But today we feel very close.”

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