Polls have opened in Israel in what is expected to be a close contest between Benjamin Netanyahu's party and the Zionist Union.
The current Prime Minister is seeking a fourth consecutive term and he has ruled out the establishment of a Palestinian state if he's re-elected.
Isaac Herzog's Zionist Union has been polling slightly ahead of Mr Netanyahu's Likud party, but neither political camp has a clear majority.
However, the economy and living standards have emerged as key issues in the election battle.
John Costello is a Journalist in Tel Aviv and he says the odds are stacked against Mr Netanyahu;
