article_snippet: Polling stations opened today for Israel's second snap general election in three years in a ballot experts agree is likely to be a referendum on the Netanyahu years.
article_snippet: That call resonated with 51-year-old Ofer Benishti, who voted at a polling station in Kfar Saba in central Israel.
article_snippet: Israeli election officials said 26.5 percent of eligible voters had voted by midday, a rate similar to previous years.
article_snippet: Elections day is a public holiday in Israel - most people do not go to work, beaches and restaurants fill up, and stores advertise election-day sales.
article_snippet: Facebook featured a special 'I voted' button in Hebrew, as Hebrew has during elections in other countries, in an effort to get out the vote.
highlights_snippet: Polling stations opened today for Israel's second snap general election .
  
highlights_snippet: Israeli election officials said 26.5% of eligible voters had voted by midday .