Israelis are voting in their 3rd election in 1 year. Polls predict more deadlock.

Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu
(Image credit: Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images)

Israelis go to the polls Monday for their third national election in nearly a year, and polls suggest this election, too, may end in political deadlock between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival, former armed services chief Benny Gantz. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, has led a caretaker for more than a year. He faces trial on criminal corruption charges in two weeks.

The campaign has been ugly. Gantz has focused on Netanyahu's pending bribery, fraud, and breach of trust trial, and Netanyahu and his allies have spread baseless accusations that Gantz is susceptible to Iranian blackmail. On Sunday night, Israel's Channel 12 played audio of Netanyahu discussing one plot to smear Gantz, contradicting Netanyahu's on-air denial. Netanyahu is also hoping for a boost from President Trump's unilateral peace plan.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.