Israel General Election: Latest opinion poll shows tight race between Likud and Blue & White alliance
Updated 14:44, 16-Sep-2019
Israelis will head to the polls Tuesday for the country's second general election in less than six months. What happened to force another election, and has anything changed since April? CGTN's Stephanie Freid addressed those questions in this rundown of the major candidates and issues voters face as they get ready to vote.
Israel's election redux has been long and contentious, characterized by hurled accusations, racism, fear-mongering and bold proclamations and promises
Has anything changed since the last round when right-wing Likud party leader and current prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu couldn't form a coalition?
OFER KENIG POLITICAL ANALYST, ISRAEL DEMOCRACY INSTITUTE "Netanyahu's legal situation is different. He's much more fragile than he was in April."
Netanyahu faces indictment for corruption soon after the vote so his campaign has been colored by maneuvering for immunity. Tactics include internationally criticized commitments to annex Palestinian territories and racist warnings against the country's twenty percent Arab voters.
On par in the polls with Likud is the centrist Blue and White Party headed by former chief of staff Benny Gantz. Blue and white was tied with Likud in the last election - numbers now aren't showing a change.
The smaller Arab Joint List could play a historic role in influencing coalition building - IF Arab sector voters who generally stay away from the polls show up this time.
RESIDENT "No one - Jewish or Arab - does anything for us. Arab politicians have no voice."
A key figure: Soviet born former Netanyahu aide Avigdor Lieberman leading the secular right Israel Home or Yisrael Beitenu party. His party may double election gains over last time and he could play a decisive role in making or breaking another term for Benjamin Netanyahu.
What are voters saying?
GAZA BORDER RESIDENT "I've always voted Likud. But I may change my position. Those of us on the frontline are like ducks in a shooting gallery. We've got no vision of where the security situation is headed."
GAZA BORDER RESIDENT "I'll either vote Jewish Home or Likud - My views and opinions are right wing. But I haven't decided who to vote for yet."
Leading up to Tuesday's vote, many Israelis say they are undecided - an indication of the uncertainty that led to the current, unprecedented round. STEPHANIE FREID, CGTN, JERUSALEM.