Netanyahu endorsed by veteran martial arts actor Chuck Norris as Israel votes

His Likud party trailing in the polls, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried giving a speech before the US Congress.

He promised that Palestinians would never be granted statehood if he was elected.

But with hours remaining before Israelis went to the polls yesterday, Netanyahu brought out his biggest gun of all: Chuck Norris.

The veteran martial artist and film star appeared in a last-minute campaign advert aired on Monday.

"I have done three movies in Israel, being my favourite," Norris says in the spot. "And I formed many friendships while there. You have an incredible country and we want to keep it that way. That's why it's so important to keep a leader who has the courage and vision to stand up against the evil forces that are threatening not only Israel, but the United States. So, I ask you to vote for Prime Minister Netanyahu on election day. Thank you for listening to me."

It is not the first time Norris has appeared in a political ad. In 2007, he appeared for failed US presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.