A visibly frantic Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the fight of his political life as the country heads to national elections for the second time this year.
Netanyahu is locked in a razor tight race and faces the likelihood of criminal corruption charges. That's why a decisive victory in Tuesday's vote may be the only thing to keep him out of the courtroom.
A repeat of the deadlock in April's election, or a victory by challenger Benny Gantz, could spell the end of the career of the man who has led the country for the past decade.
FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2019 file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting in Sochi, Russia. Netanyahu, locked in a razor tight race and facing the likelihood of criminal corruption charges, a decisive victory in Tuesday, Sept. 17, vote may be the only thing to keep him out of the courtroom.(Shamil ZhumatovPool Photo via AP, File)
But it may well be the things he can't control — including a former political ally turned rival and attacks by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip — that bring him down.
FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2019 file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel. Netanyahu, locked in a razor tight race and facing the likelihood of criminal corruption charges, a decisive victory in Tuesday, Sept. 17, vote may be the only thing to keep him out of the courtroom. (AP PhotoOded Balilty, File)