Benjamin Netanyahu launched a last-minute campaign blitz to urge Right-wing voters to support him in Tuesday's election, as he tries to see off a centrist challenger and secure a fifth term as Israel’s prime minister.

Standing outside a pub in the middle of a busy Jerusalem market, Mr Netanyahu warned on Monday that Right-wing Israelis were “complacent” because of media reports that he was on course to victory.

“Some of our people are complacent and believe the media, which is trying to put them to sleep,” Mr Netanyahu said. “Right now we are behind by several seats.”

The prime minister’s strategy is to frighten supporters of small Right-wing parties into giving their vote to his Likud party at the last minute. A similar method helped propel him to victory in the last election in 2015.

Polls have shown Mr Netanyahu’s Likud trailing slightly behind Blue & White, which is led by former army general Benny Gantz.