People in Israel are voting on Tuesday in an important election. About 70,000 Israelis have returned from other countries to vote. About 500,000 people can vote for the first time. Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot are very close in the race to become prime minister. First results will come after 22:00 local time.

Netanyahu leads the Likud party. He wants help from far-right and religious parties. Eisenkot leads the new Yashar party. He works with several parties that want to remove Netanyahu from power. Arab parties may also be important. However, most large Jewish parties say they will not work with them.

Security is the main issue. Netanyahu’s opponents blame him for the Hamas attack on 7 October, when about 1,200 people died and 251 people became hostages. Voters are also thinking about the war in Gaza and who must join the army. A group needs 61 seats to form a government. Polls show that no group may get enough seats, so party leaders may need weeks or months to make a deal.