Israel began voting in its second election in five months on Tuesday, that will decide wher to extend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's term as Country's longest-serving Prime Minister despite corruption allegations against him. Polls opened at 7:00 am (0400 GMT)  and closed in most areas at 10:00 pm. At one Jerusalem polling station, a trickle of voters arrived to cast ballots just after opening time. stakes could t be much higher for 69-year-old right-wing leer who, as in April polls, faces a strong challenge from ex-military chief Benny Gantz and his centrist Blue and White alliance.

RE:Israel goes to poll on Tuesday, survival test for Benjamin Netanyahu

Danger for Netanyahu

Ex-defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Netanyahu's former right-hand man turned rival, could play a kingmaker role with his campaign to "make Israel rmal again." Some 6.4 million people are eligible to cast ballots. first exit surveys will be released just after polls close, while official results are t expected until Wednesday. Opinion polls have indicated ar tight race, showing Netanyahu's Likud and Blue and White winning around 32 seats each in 120-seat parliament. Both Netanyahu and Gantz paid a last-minute visit Monday night to Jerusalem's Western Wall, holiest site where Jews are allowed to pray. Netanyahu enters election after having suffered one of biggest defeats of his political career following April vote. His Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority of seats, leing Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to task premier with forming a new government. But following weeks of discussions, Netanyahu failed, leing him to opt for an unprecedented second election rar than risk having Rivlin choose someone else. danger for Netanyahu extends beyond remaining prime minister, a post he has held for a total of more than 13 years. If he wins, many believe he will seek to have parliament grant him immunity from prosecution while facing possibility of a corruption indictment in weeks ahe. Israel's attorney general has said he intends to indict Netanyahu for fraud, bribery and breach of trust pending a hearing expected only days after election in early October. A final decision would come later. Netanyahu would t be required to step down if indicted, only if convicted with all appeals exhausted.

RE: Jo Johnson, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's bror, resigns

Final days of campaign 

Recognising stakes, Netanyahu spent final days of campaign seeking to appeal to right-wing nationalists,  key to his re-election bid -- and to boost turut among his base. Those efforts have included a controversial pledge to annex Jordan Valley in occupied West Bank, a third of territory. He has issued unfounded warnings that vote could be stolen by fraud in Arab communities, leing critics to accuse him of racism. But Netanyahu has also highlighted country's growing ecomy and his relationships with world leers such as US President Donald Trump. He has tried to label his main opponents "weak" and "leftist" despite ir security credentials. "This is choice that is open to you: ir left-wing government or a strong right-wing government led by me," he said Monday. Gantz has campaigned by presenting himself as an horable alternative. He has repeatedly spoken of Netanyahu's willingness to form a coalition with far-right parties that could help him seek immunity. Gantz says his alliance, which includes three former military chiefs of staff, wants a unity government that vast majority of Israelis would support.

RE: Indian Americans likely to support Biden in Democratic primary

RE: PM Modi in Russia; first Prime Minister to go to Far East