With incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu poised to win a third term in Tuesday's voting, concerns and even worries for the Middle East peace process are running high, as it is believed that he will continue to push his hardline policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict once he forms a coalition government, which will in turn dampen hopes for an early resumption of the peace talks.

Netanyahu's record during his past two terms has fueled such worries. Peace talks have hit a snag, and political conflict and hostility between the Israelis and Palestinians have been exacerbated.

Understandably, his eventual victory has drawn widespread despair from the Palestinians. Even for Netanyahu's own countrymen, the uncertainties surrounding the election result are perceived as a sign that most Israelis no longer seem to believe it is possible to reach a peace settlement with the Palestinians.