Israel votes third time on keeping Netanyahu as prime minister

Israelis are voting Monday for the third time in less than a year on whether to keep beleaguered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in office.

The long-time prime minister is seeking reelection ahead of an upcoming trial on corruption charges. 

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, has for roughly the past year been the country’s de facto prime minister because the two previous elections have failed to show a clear winner in his race against retired military officer Benny Gantz, a member of the centrist Blue and White party.

Israel has long been the United States’ closest Middle East ally.

Netanyahu losing would pose uncertainty about the delicate geo-politics of the region.

Polls show the outcome of this third election will also be very close. 

Netanyahu is scheduled to go to trial in March on charges related to him allegedly accepted gifts in exchange for political promises.