Photo Essay: Veteran Israelis & New Immigrants Cast Their Votes

Schools, community centers and government buildings were converted to polling stations for the day.

Anna Paula, made Aliyah from Brazil three years ago, voted Kadima. "Even if we're one land, sometimes you have to cut off an arm to save the body."

(L to R) All are from Paris, France. Yael Bittan made Aliyah four months ago, Raphoel Chichepoitiche made Aliyah three years ago and Stephane Sabbah made Aliyah five months ago. All voted National Union/NRP and agreed: "They guard our territories and they

Any Z., made Aliyah from Argentina two months ago. Voted Labor. "They are on the left and they fit my beliefs."

Avram Canetti, made Aliyah from Rome, Italy six months ago. Voted Kadima. "They stand strong against terror but also have good plans for peace and borders. There is strength in the middle."

Elisabet R., made Aliyah from Argentina two months ago and cast her first vote Tuesday.

Gisela M., made Aliyah from Argentina two and a half years ago. "I'm not telling who I voted for because in Argentina the rules forbid it and I think it's a good rule."

Molly Brody, made Aliyah from Colorado two and a half years ago. Voted Labor. "I want [Labor] to have a stronger presence in the coalition. Of all the parties in the coalition Labor is most aligned with my beliefs."

Nir Schlaen, made Aliyah from Argentina eight months ago. Voted National Union-NRP. "I want to vote right but not for Likud because their economic policies are destroying the country and not for Kadima because I am opposed to giving territories away. I a

Shira Tupiol, who made Aliyah from Fairlawn, New Jersey eight months ago. Voted Atid Echad (Ethiopian Aliyah party). "I'm focusing on the smaller issues because I think there are really no solutions for the bigger ones - if there are, I don't have them."

Zach Hartlyn, made Aliyah from Chapel Hill, North Carolina over a year ago. Wouldn't say who he voted for. "It's a difficult election. It's hard to adjust to a multi-party system. I don't really trust this system, but democracy is still the best option."

A veteran Israeli casts her vote.

A Kadima activist near a Jerusalem polling station.

A Russian banner for the Yisrael Beiteinu Party.

Likud activists in Jerusalem.

National Union/National Religious Party activists.