Israelis are voting today in general elections widely tipped to shift the country to the right and result in a government likely to adopt an even harder line with the Palestinians. The vote comes hot on the heels of Israel's assault on Gaza, which some observers suggest was in itself a form of election ploy. Certainly, it appears to have helped Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's campaign for the office of prime minister. And it also appears to have helped the favourite in this election, the leader of the Likud party, former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trailing far behind is the Labor party, despite the popularity of its leader, defense minister Ehud Barak. It now appears a far right party could become the kingmaker.