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Israeli Consular Official Discusses Election With Students In Philadelphia

By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Deputy Consul General of Israel based in Philadelphia dissected Tuesday's rough-and-tumble election in his home country and the contrast of the democratic process for students at Girard College on Wednesday.

Deputy Consul General Elad Strohmayer told about 100 high school students that Israel's nationwide elections, very much like in the U.S., can be contentious and filled with mud-slinging and name-calling.

"This is democracy and we are happy about that because that's the democratic process. The beauty of it is there was a big turnout in Israel, almost 72 percent of people came to vote. I think here in the United States you have like 45 percent. That makes a difference."

He told the students unlike the U.S., the leader - the prime minister who controls the government - comes from the winning party capturing the most seats in Israel's parliament, the Knesset.

The deputy consul appealed to the students to become involved when they become eligible to vote.

"Maybe in 2016 even, they will have their first elections and they need to come out and vote and express their opinion."

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