As Israel takes to the polls today, the Times reports that although the joint Likud-Beitenu list headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set for victory, the fifteen per cent of voters who are still undecided how to cast their ballots could have a significant impact on the complexion of the country’s next government. Meanwhile, the Telegraph covers an appeal made by Netanyahu yesterday for right-wing voters to “come home” and vote for his list at the end of a campaign in which rival right-wing party Jewish Home has appeared to increase its support at the expense of Likud-Beitenu. The Guardian online predicts that more than one third of the members of the new Knesset will be first time representatives, many from the religious and ultra-Orthodox communities. The online edition of the Independent suggests that the formation of a right-wing Israeli government could have a detrimental impact on prospects for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Meanwhile, Metro reports that Jewish Home candidate Jeremy Gimpel has sought to explain recently uncovered comments, in which he appeared to advocate destroying the Dome of the Rock, a key Muslim shrine in Jerusalem. Writing in the Times, Amir Taheri argues that although Israelis appear motivated by fear to elect a right-wing government, Israel can actively shape a rapidly changing Middle East.

Elsewhere in the region, the online editions of the Guardian, Telegraph and Independent all report that Russia is beginning to evacuate an undisclosed number of its citizens from Syria. Russia has been President Assad’s most significant international ally during the violent internal Syrian conflict of almost two years. It is thought that the Russian evacuees include embassy staff and workers at Russian companies with a presence in Syria. The online edition of the Times reports on simmering tensions and small-scale protests ahead of Jordan’s parliamentary elections which will take place on Wednesday. The Muslim Brotherhood is boycotting the Jordanian vote, arguing that the system is weighted against them. Meanwhile, writing in the Guardian, Hossein Mousavian, former spokesman for Iran’s on its nuclear negotiations claims that Iran is ready to negotiate with the international community over its nuclear programme, if sanctions are lifted and Tehran’s right to enrichment is recognised.

The Israeli media focuses squarely on today’s election and the front page headlines in both Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom instruct their readers to simply “Go Vote.” Maariv, Haaretz and Makor Rishon also focus on the process of today’s vote which will see more than five and a half million Israelis given the opportunity to cast their vote at polls which are open between 7am and 10pm. Most dailies provide a summary of the campaign as it unfolded and there is plenty of commentary on the potential results of the election. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Nahum Barnea predicts that the outcome of the election could produce an unusual situation whereby a right-wing government is formed in which Prime Minister Netanyahu’s own party does not have a majority, making it difficult to govern. In the same publication, Sever Plocker suggests that today’s poll is an “interim” election, setting the stage for another vote within the next two years.

In other news, Haaretz, Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon cover yesterday’s inauguration of US President Obama for a second term in office, focusing in particular on his comments relating to the United States’ foreign relations. Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon also report on comments made by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to a Lebanese television station in which he appeared to suggest that the Zionist leadership in pre-state Israel collaborated with Nazi Germany in order to help set the stage for the establishment of the Jewish State. There has been no official Israeli reaction as yet to Abbas’ comments.