The Latest on Israel's election (all times local):
1 p.m.
Popular centrist politician Yair Lapid has cast his ballot in Israel's elections for his Blue and White party, appealing on Israeli citizens to vote. Lapid had joined forces with former army chief Benny Gantz to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long rule.
Lapid voted near Tel Aviv on Tuesday surrounded by activists and supporters, claiming his party is "just a step away from victory."
He says: "We need two more seats to win these historic elections in Israel. A vote for any party except Blue and White is a vote for Netanyahu."
Lapid and Gantz, together with a slate of other ex-generals, formed the centrist Blue and White party in hopes of mobilizing opposition to Netanyahu, who faces serious corruption charges.
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12:10 p.m.
Israel's president and several other politicians have cast their ballots in the general election, offering messages to voters and urging for a good turnout.
President Reuven Rivlin will have the task to choose - after the election - a party leader most likely to forge a governing coalition.
He urged citizens to vote as he cast his ballot, saying "the only people who decide who will be the next government and prime minister are you."
New Right party leader, Naftali Bennett, asked voters not to be swayed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign to pull votes from smaller rightist factions. Bennet says he wants "everyone to vote for the New Right" so that "Israel returns to winning."
Avi Gabbay, leader of the Labor party that was once Israel's left-wing flagship, told reporters he hopes Election Day "ends with the replacement of the government."
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11:40 a.m.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cast his ballot in Israel's general elections.
Netanyahu voted on Tuesday in Jerusalem alongside his wife, Sara. He called on all Israelis to vote, calling it a "sacred act."
Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term in office despite a cloud of looming corruption indictments against him. Another term would make him Israel's longest-ever serving leader, surpassing founding father David Ben-Gurion.
He faces a stiff challenge from retired military chief Benny Gantz, whose Blue and White party has inched ahead of Netanyahu's Likud in polls. Netanyahu still appears to have the best chance of forming a coalition, though, with a smattering of small nationalist parties backing him.
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9:40 a.m.
Benny Gantz, the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel's general elections, has cast his ballot, calling for a "new dawn" for the country.
Gantz voted early on Tuesday in his hometown of Rosh Haayin in central Israel alongside his wife, Revital. He called on all Israelis to get out and vote, saying they should "take responsibility" for their democracy.
He says that voting will "let us all wake up for a new dawn, a new history."
Gantz's Blue and White party has inched ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud in polls. Netanyahu still appears to have the best chance of forming a coalition, though, with a smattering of small nationalist parties backing him.
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07:00 a.m.
Voting has begun in the Israeli elections as the country decides whether longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power.
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday with exit polls expected at the end of the voting day at 10 p.m. Official results are expected to come in overnight.
Clouded by a series of looming corruption indictments, Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term in office. It would make him Israel's longest-ever serving leader, surpassing founding father David Ben-Gurion.
He faces a stiff challenge from retired military chief Benny Gantz, whose Blue and White party has inched ahead of Netanyahu's Likud in polls. Netanyahu still appears to have the best chance of forming a coalition, though, with a smattering of small nationalist parties backing him.
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