Carmit Nadri, 32, and Keren Pelzer-Azuelos, 31

Carmit, a doctoral student of neurobiochemistry, came to Tel Aviv to celebrate her birthday with her friend Keren, a probation officer.

Carmit: “This election is superfluous. In the last 20 years, no Israeli government succeeded to finish four years in office. Again we have election and again it’s unnecessary. I would like to have here more stability. I’m not sure if I’m going to vote. I guess eventually I will because I think that not exercising your most important right as a citizen is a harsh protest.”

Keren: “I think fewer people will vote this year. There is no one to vote for. I’m debating between Meretz [the left-wing party] and the Labor Party. Meretz never really did something for me, so I might choose the Labor Party this time, but I’ve a problem with their leader [Amir Peretz].”

Keren: “I’m in favor of more unilateral withdrawals. It isn’t going to work in any other way, especially now when Hamas is heading the Palestinians.”

Carmit: “I’m less afraid now from Hamas than I used to be the day after they were elected. It’s not because they changed their platform or their faiths, but because now we know who we are facing. It is pretty clear who is the enemy right now.”