Live updates: Netanyahu falls short again in Israeli election
Live Updates
Surina Pinkus, 62, has just voted Blue and White in the Mediterranean city of Bat Yam.
The accountant and part-time photographer describes herself as a “veteran Likudnik” who was brought up on the values of Zeev Jabotinsky, who inspired the Likud party's founders.
“Netanyahu made me hate the party,” Pinkus tells Middle East Eye. “He must be replaced to end his fiery and aggressive discourse.”
Pinkus says it feels like Netanyahu’s wife and son are running the country sometimes, and she really hopes for change.
“I’m not optimistic at all, but I’m here to try and make a change because sitting at home will not help.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his challenger Benny Gantz have already voted, alongside their wives.
In April, their parties Likud and Blue and White came neck and neck in the polls. Will things be different this time around?
Israel's election committee has said as of 10am the turnout of voters has been the highest the country has seen for 30 years.
Politicians have been fretting about low turnout, with voter fatigue and the holidays predicted to keep Israelis from polling stations.
There has been some suggestion that Benny Gantz's Blue and White party has the most to lose from low turnout, so this could be a good sign for them.
Once the most powerful force in Israeli politics, the Labor Party has seen its fortunes collapse in recent years.
Read Middle East Eye's report from Israel on the ailing fortunes of the party ahead of Tuesday's election:
Future or funeral? Israel's Labor party could be on the verge of extinction
Israelis began voting in their second election in five months on Tuesday in a poll that will decide whether to extend Benjamin Netanyahu's term as the country's longest-serving prime minister despite corruption allegations against him.
The prime minister said he expected the polls to be close and urged citizens to turn out in large numbers.
"President (Donald) Trump said yesterday that the elections will be tight," Netanyahu said as he voted alongside his wife in Jerusalem.
"I can guarantee you this morning that they are very tight."
Polls opened at 7am (0400 GMT) and were due to close in most areas at 10pm.
Opinion polls have indicated another tight race, showing Netanyahu's Likud and ex-military man Benny Gantz's Blue and White winning around 32 seats each in the 120-seat parliament.
Some 6.4 million people are eligible to vote.
