Israelis are awaiting their general election results after voting in their highest numbers in decades on Tuesday at a pivotal moment for the Middle East. Votes were being counted overnight after a closely-fought contest between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival, former army general Gadi Eisenkot. An exit poll by Channel 12 showed Mr Netanyahu's Likud party winning 24 seats in the 120-member Knesset, with Mr Eisenkot's Yashar party on 22.