Israel will elect a new parliament for the fifth time in four years.

Israel will elect a new parliament for the fifth time in four years. According to polls, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party are ahead of incumbent Prime Minister Jair Lapid of the liberal Yesh Atid party.

Lapid expressed confidence ahead of the election. The Israelis have the choice between "the troubles of the past and the common good of the future."

Netanyahu, meanwhile, needs the support of the ultra-Orthodox and an ultra-right alliance to win the elections. The latter calls for an annexation of the entire Israeli-occupied West Bank. Netanyahu is currently on trial for corruption. His re-election would mean he could seek immunity.

A stalemate is emerging

According to polls, the alliance around Mr. Netanyahu currently has 60 seats in the Israeli parliament. Lapid and his supporters get 56 seats, and a coalition of Arab parties gets four seats. The camps would need more mandates for a majority in the 120-seat parliament.

The voting behavior of Arab Israelis could therefore be decisive. The group makes up around 20 percent of the population. If their turnout falls as expected, Mr. Netanyahu's alliance will probably benefit.

A high turnout is expected despite the renewed elections within a short period. The subsequent coalition talks can drag on for weeks. If they fail, there could be new elections.