Israel holds 5th poll in A years today; Bibi eyes comeback in tight race

Jerusalem: Israelis vote for the fifth time in four years on Tuesday in an election in which former PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s comeback bid may depend on a far-right party whose leaders call for those deemed disloyal to Israel to be expelled

Voter exasperation at the deadlock may hurt turnout but surging support for the ultranationalist Religious Zionism bloc and firebrand co-leader Itamar Ben-Gvir has galvanised the race. Israel’s longest-serving premier, Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges, which he denies. His rightist Likud party is still expected to finish as the largest in parliament.