As Israel prepares to go to the polls today, the Guardian, Independent, Financial Times and Independent i all report Likud leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments yesterday in which he said that a Palestinian state would not be established if he is re-elected. The announcement is widely interpreted as a last-minute pitch for support from voters leaning towards the right-wing Jewish Home party. Metro reports Netanyahu’s request on Saturday night for supporters to “close the gap” with the Zionist Union, which polls last week indicated had taken a lead over Likud.

The Independent online interviews former-Mossad chief Efraim Halevy, who said that US-Israel relations would change dramatically if Netanyahu is defeated. The Independent online also reports that Netanyahu received support from an unlikely source, actor Chuck Norris.

The Times includes a profile of Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon, perceived as potentially the most significant ‘kingmaker’ in the coalition-building process which will follow today’s election. The Telegraph predicts that Israel is heading for a national unity government, with neither Zionist Union nor Likud able to form a stable government. The Financial Times online outlines three potential scenarios in forming the next Israeli government, a coalition headed by Zionist Union, a Netanyahu-led government or a grand coalition including both.

The Times predicts that former-Prime Minister Tony Blair is set to be offered a new diplomatic role providing support for US Secretary of State John Kerry in promoting peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). However, there is criticism of Blair’s record as Quartet Middle East envoy in both the Guardian and Daily Mail.

The Guardian online reports that French experts have concluded that there was no foul play involved in the death of former-PA President Yasser Arafat, who died in Paris in 2004. The cause of the Arafat’s death has never been confirmed, prompting claims by Palestinian leaders that he was poisoned.

The Guardian online also reports that the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur has said that Iran’s human rights record has worsened since the election of President Hassan Rouhani, perceived as a moderating influence by many. In particular, the number of executions has increased significantly.

In the Israeli media, the focus is fully on today’s election. Maariv urges readers to cast their ballots with the front page headline, “It’s in your hands,” while Israel Hayom is even more direct, simply proclaiming “Go vote.” Haaretz and Maariv give significant column inches to the announcement late yesterday by Tzipi Livni, that she would forego the arrangement of a rotating premiership with Isaac Herzog, if Zionist Union forms the next government. She said that the decision was made in case the rotation proved an impediment to people voting for Zionist Union and ultimately removing Netanyahu from power. Israel Hayom though accuses Herzog and Livni of a “zigzag.”

In commentary surrounding today’s vote, Nahum Barnea in Yediot Ahronot concludes that the election is above all “about one thing: Netanyahu,” arguing that even “The Zionist Union also launched a campaign that was entirely Netanyahu. They wouldn’t have got very far with just Herzog and Livni.” Leaving little doubt over his personal preference, Barnea says “I can’t avoid coming to the conclusion that something has gone terribly awry in his [Netanyahu’s] relationship with reality.”

In other news, Israel Radio says that the European Union (EU) has appointed a Middle East envoy: veteran Italian diplomat Fernando Gentilini. However, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said that the appointment would have no impact on the position of Quartet envoy Tony Blair, whose future in the role has been questioned this week.