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| Polls open in Israel's election | Polls open in Israel's election |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Polls have opened across Israel in an early election called by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is stepping down. | Polls have opened across Israel in an early election called by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is stepping down. |
| The favourite to become prime minister is Binyamin Netanyahu, leader of the right-wing opposition party, Likud. | The favourite to become prime minister is Binyamin Netanyahu, leader of the right-wing opposition party, Likud. |
| But his opinion-poll lead has been reduced in recent weeks by Tzipi Livni, who heads the centrist Kadima, the largest party in the government. | But his opinion-poll lead has been reduced in recent weeks by Tzipi Livni, who heads the centrist Kadima, the largest party in the government. |
| Mr Olmert announced months ago that he was standing down in the face of corruption allegations. | Mr Olmert announced months ago that he was standing down in the face of corruption allegations. |
| An attempt to form a new government without elections failed. | An attempt to form a new government without elections failed. |
| Israel imposed a closure on the West Bank during the voting, banning Palestinians from entering Israel. Israeli soldiers have already voted. KEY BACKGROUND Downbeat poll reflects moodQ&A: Israeli electionsWhere the candidates standIsraeli elections: Voters' views | Israel imposed a closure on the West Bank during the voting, banning Palestinians from entering Israel. Israeli soldiers have already voted. KEY BACKGROUND Downbeat poll reflects moodQ&A: Israeli electionsWhere the candidates standIsraeli elections: Voters' views |
| On Monday Israel's politicians made a final push for votes. | On Monday Israel's politicians made a final push for votes. |
| Mr Netanyahu and the head of the nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, made visits to one of Judaism's holiest sites, the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem - regarded as occupied territory under international law. | Mr Netanyahu and the head of the nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, made visits to one of Judaism's holiest sites, the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem - regarded as occupied territory under international law. |
| Ms Livni and the head of Labour, Ehud Barak, both planted trees - in different places.Tzipi Livni planted a tree during the final day of campaigning | Ms Livni and the head of Labour, Ehud Barak, both planted trees - in different places.Tzipi Livni planted a tree during the final day of campaigning |
| Opinion polls suggest that about 20% of voters are not sure who to vote for - and that many others are unenthusiastic about their choices. | Opinion polls suggest that about 20% of voters are not sure who to vote for - and that many others are unenthusiastic about their choices. |
| Wet, windy weather may keep voter turnout low. About 5.3 million people are eligible to vote at more than 9,000 polling stations. | Wet, windy weather may keep voter turnout low. About 5.3 million people are eligible to vote at more than 9,000 polling stations. |
| Even if Ms Livni does pull ahead of Mr Netanyahu, pollsters think right-wing parties are likely to dominate the Knesset and she could struggle to form a coalition, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Jerusalem. | Even if Ms Livni does pull ahead of Mr Netanyahu, pollsters think right-wing parties are likely to dominate the Knesset and she could struggle to form a coalition, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Jerusalem. |
| Following the recent conflict in Gaza, many Israelis say security is what counts, and that they do not trust the peace process or the Palestinians. | Following the recent conflict in Gaza, many Israelis say security is what counts, and that they do not trust the peace process or the Palestinians. |
| In such a climate, Mr Lieberman - with his strong, often anti-Arab, rhetoric - is forecast to make gains, our correspondent adds. | In such a climate, Mr Lieberman - with his strong, often anti-Arab, rhetoric - is forecast to make gains, our correspondent adds. |
| Once the final votes are counted, the complicated process of building a coalition will begin - something that could take several weeks. | Once the final votes are counted, the complicated process of building a coalition will begin - something that could take several weeks. |
| Are you voting in Israel? Please write to us with your experiences. |