Feature: Israelis bet for better future in decisive elections

"I hope for change, I want a government that will give people hope for a better tomorrow," Liliana Glass, a therapist, said Tuesday after casting her vote in Haifa, a port city in north Israel.

Glass declined to reveal her final choice, but her remarks indicated that it might not be a rightwing party.

Many voters shared Glass' aspiration for change as they headed to the polls Tuesday to elect the 120-seat Knesset (parliament) members.

From over 20 parties running in the elections, the top two favorites are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rightwing Likud party, which has been in power for six years, and the center-left Zionist Union, a newly-formed alliance established by the historic left Labor and the centrist Hatnua.

Voters' hopes for change would be good news for Zionist Union leader, Isaac Herzog, who has promised to tackle the country's socio-economic woes and indicated his preparedness to resume peace talks with Palestinians.

"I wish for political upheaval, I hope the current government will be replaced," said Amit Lewinthal, a 35-year-old journalist from Tel Aviv.

He said the most important issue for him and the majority of Israelis is skyrocketing living costs, particularly housing prices. A recent official report revealed that between 2009 and 2013, housing prices jumped by 55 percent.

Prices of basic necessities in Israel, such as food and garments, are among the highest in developed countries.

Nevertheless, there were also many voters who were disgruntled by the reality, and are weary of change in the country leadership, citing the long-running conflict with Palestinians and other security threats Israel faces.

"There's never genuine change - right or left, they are all the same," Daniel Cohen complained, a pensioner living in the German Colony neighborhood in Jerusalem.

"We vote almost every year, with no change," he added after casting his ballot in favor of Netanyahu. "Our health system is collapsing, everything is extremely expensive, and one can't afford basic necessities. But at least Netanyahu provides us with security."

The current elections are the second snap elections in two years, with the previous round occurring as recently as January 2013.

Cohen is not alone in his pessimism concerning post-election prospects.

"I hope Bibi (nickname of Netanyahu) will go home, I hope there will be change," said Shona Netsky-Hadar, a 60-year-old rehabilitation counselor from the community of Beit HaShita in northern Israel. "Undoubtedly the most important issue is the Palestinian one and the peace process."

Netsky-Hadar voted for Herzog's Zionist Union, but she is unsure her wishes will materialize.

"Nothing changes in Israeli politics, and if there's change it's for the worst," she explained.

"People's opinions have moved towards the right end of the political scale, towards ultra-nationalists like Naftali Bennett (head of the Jewish Home party). It may be good for settlers in the West Bank but not for the majority of Israeli people," she said.

Israeli television stations are due to release their exit polls at 10 p.m. when the poll stations close. Results of the exit polls will then reveal whether hope for change defines this election. Endit