If re-elected as Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu will become the longest-serving prime minister as voting has begun in Israel.
The leader of the right-wing party, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking his fifth term in office as he runs for prime Minister in the ongoing election.
But he is facing corruption allegations and a strong challenge from retired general Benny Gantz.
Mr Netanyahu has been challenged by Mr Gantz, head of the centrist Blue and White alliance on the key issue of security and is also promising for cleaner politics in Israel.
A rally took place in Jerusalem on Monday, and Mr Netanyahu told Likud supporters not to be “complacent” and encouraged them them to turn out at polling stations.
He warned, however, that his “leftist” rivals could still come out victorious.
BBC’s Tom Bateman in Jerusalem said that Mr Netanyahu appealed to Israel’s growing right-wing voter base with messages hammering on security and a worthwhile announcement in the last days suggesting a new government would annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
And although Israel disputes this, under international law the settlements are considered illegal.
Correspondents at the BBC says Mr Netanyahu has faced a difficult election race, dogged by corruption charges, and a flare-up in the conflict with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.
However, the prime minister has denied the corruption allegations and calls himself “a victim of a political witch hunt aimed at influencing the election.”
Although widely criticized, Mr Netanyahu moved to lock down extra right-wing seats. He also brokered a deal back in February to make it easier for candidates from an extreme-right wing party to enter the Parliament though viewed as racist.