INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Benjamin Netanyahu addresses his supporters at Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem
Netanyahu's long right-wing tenure despite corruption allegations or to replace him with an ex-military chief new to politics.The vote is
expected to be close and likely lead to frantic negotiations to form a coalition government once results are in, with opinion polls having
shown Netanyahu best placed to do so.Polls opened at 0400 GMT and were to close at 1900 GMT in most areas, with final results not expected
until early Wednesday.Ex-military chief Benny Gantz has mounted a strong challenge to the veteran prime minister by brandishing his security
credentials while pledging to undo damage he says Netanyahu has inflicted on the country with divisive politics.The election will be in many
ways a referendum on the 69-year-old leader who has built a reputation as guarantor of the country's security and economic growth, but whose
populism and alleged corruption have left many ready for change.He has engaged in populist rhetoric throughout the acrimonious campaign that
critics say amounts to the demonisation of Arab Israelis and others.True to form, Netanyahu issued a deeply controversial pledge only three
days before the election, saying he planned to annex settlements in the occupied West Bank should he win.Extending Israeli sovereignty on a
large-scale in the West Bank could be the death knell to already fading hopes for a two-state solution with the Palestinians.It is a move
long-sought by Israel's far-right."Need for change"Netanyahu has also sought to portray himself as Israel's essential statesman, meeting
with his close ally US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the run up to the
vote.He has highlighted Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and of Israel's claim of sovereignty over the Golan Heights,
while also saying the US leader is aware of his annexation plans."Who else can do this Who can do this Come on
Honestly," Netanyahu said in an interview on Sunday with local news site Arutz Sheva."Who can stand in front of the world Who can stand in
front of the American Congress Who can move public opinion in that direction"At the same time, he has used Trump-like tactics, calling the
corruption investigations a "witch hunt" and denouncing journalists covering them.On Monday night, he paid a visit to Jerusalem's Western
Wall for a last-minute prayer.Gantz, a 59-year-old former paratrooper who has formed a centrist alliance to challenge Netanyahu, has invoked
the corruption allegations against the premier to make his case that it is time for him to go.Retired Israeli general Benny Gantz, one of
the leaders of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) political alliance, speaks during a campaign event
(AFP)He has called Netanyahu's annexation pledge an "irresponsible" bid for right-wing votes.As for his position on the issue, Gantz says he
favours a "globally backed peace agreement" that sees Israel hold on to the large settlement blocs in the West Bank and maintain security
control over the territory.He opposes any unilateral moves."There's a need for change and an opportunity for change," Gantz told Israel's
army radio on Monday."Israel needs to choose a direction of unification, connection and hope -- or of extremity."Gantz has sought to
overcome Netanyahu's experience and achievements by allying with two other former military chiefs of staff and ex-finance minister Yair
Lapid to form his Blue and White alliance.Neck-and-neckOpinion polls have given Netanyahu's Likud and Blue and White a similar number of
seats in the 120-seat parliament.Under those polls, both would fall far short of an outright majority -- with around 30 seats each -- and
would need to pull together a coalition.If polling trends hold, Netanyahu would be best placed to build a coalition thanks to smaller
right-wing parties allied to him.But there have been repeated warnings about opinion polls' unreliability in the past and the fact that many
voters had said they were undecided.Should Netanyahu win, he will be on track to surpass founding father David Ben-Gurion as Israel's
longest-serving prime minister later this year.He has been premier for a total of more than 13 years, entrenching himself so firmly at the
top that some have labelled him "King Bibi," using his nickname since childhood.But if he does triumph, he faces the prospect of becoming
the first sitting prime minister to be indicted.The attorney general has announced he intends to indict Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and
breach of trust pending an upcoming hearing.He is not required to step down if indicted, only if convicted with all appeals
exhausted.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by TheIndianSubcontinent staff and is published from a syndicated
feed.)Get the latest election news, live updates and election schedule for Lok Sabha Elections 2019 on TheIndianSubcontinent.com/elections
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