Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprised beach-goers in Tel Aviv as he turned up urging them to head to the polls amid reports of low voter turnout, Express reported.

Wearing a sport jacket over an open-neck shirt and surrounded by bodyguards in suits and ties, Netanyahu went to Poleg beach, north of Tel Aviv, and posted a video of his appeal on his Twitter page.

He said: "If you want to continue with the Likud and me, then you have to go vote. Go to the beach later."

Election day is an official holiday in Israel, with schools and offices closed.