Israel in general election

Voting is taking place in 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.



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. An attempt to form a new government without elections failed.

The choice is the hawks or the vultures?