Israeli election too close to call

JUDY WOODRUFF:

Voters in Israel cast their ballots today to decide the future of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Voting ended just a few hours ago, and at this moment, it's too close to call.

However, it is clear that the leader outperformed the latest poll predictions.

We begin our coverage with a report from special correspondent Martin Seemungal.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL:

It's a dead heat, both Prime Minister Netanyahu and challenger Isaac Herzog projected to win 27 seats, according to the first exit polls released tonight, the race too close to call, and a tough road ahead for either camp to build a majority coalition.

Israel's largely ceremonial president, Reuven Rivlin, does have the serious job of deciding which candidate will get to take the first shot. With hopes of a fourth term in the balance, Netanyahu cast his vote this morning in Jerusalem. He made a last-ditch Election Day pitch:

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, Prime Minister, Israel (through interpreter):

In order to prevent the left-wing parties from governing, there's just one thing that needs to be done, to close the gap between Likud and Labor and to vote for Likud.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL:

The Labor Party standard-bearer, Isaac Herzog, cast his vote in Tel Aviv, as did his Zionist Union coalition partner, Tzipi Livni.

By mid-morning, voter turnout was 20 percent higher than the past two previous elections, a clear indication that Israelis see this as a pivotal election, a close race, where every single vote will count.

Gill Galanos lives abroad, but came back to vote.

You came all the way from the U.S. to vote.

GILL GALANOS:

Yes.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL:

Why?

GILL GALANOS:

Because it's important. It's one of the most important elections in the past two decades. I would assume so. I wanted my vote to count.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL:

At this Tel Aviv polling station, Israelis we spoke to were split, the battle on the national stage in miniature. Some voted for Isaac Herzog's center-left alliance.

ROY KAROUTCHI:

Now when you are thinking about the economic pressure here in Israel and everything, you think maybe this is a time for a change.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL:

Others refusing to turn their back on Netanyahu and Likud.

YORAN INGLANDER:

I am not changed.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL:

Why?

YORAN INGLANDER:

Because I am stability, and I am Likudnik.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL:

Also voting today, Arab Israelis, who make up 20 percent of Israel's population, four parties united under a Joint Arab List, hoping to gain as many as 15 of the 120 seats in Israel's Parliament, the Knesset.

Their fervor led Netanyahu to make a stark statement at midday. Via social media, he pleaded for right-wing voters to head to the polls.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU (through interpreter):

The right-wing government is in danger. Arab voters are going to vote in droves. Left-wing groups are bring them in buses.

MARTIN SEEMUNGAL:

The appeal was denounced as a desperate attempt to ensure reelection and came amid a sharp turn to the right by Netanyahu. Yesterday, he seemingly reversed years of Israeli government commitment to the eventual creation of a Palestinian state.