Military voting opens ahead of October 27 election
Voting for the 26th Knesset began Wednesday, October 21, at IDF bases and outposts, six days before the national election. It will continue through October 27, subject to operational requirements, allowing regular-service personnel and active-duty reservists to cast their ballots.
According to the IDF, approximately 850 military polling stations will operate across Israel and beyond its borders, from Mount Hermon to Eilat and at positions in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. About a quarter are fully mobile, serving troops in hard-to-reach locations, including the military’s 40 outposts in Gaza, numerous positions in Lebanon and nine outposts in Syria.
Around 3,000 soldiers, mainly young conscripts trained by the Central Elections Committee, are staffing the stations. Mobile stations will follow predetermined schedules between units, accompanied by an armed officer responsible for security. Ballot boxes will remain locked during transit.
“Our mission is to enable all IDF service members to exercise their democratic right to vote by secret ballot, including during operational activities and combat beyond the border,” said IDF Elections Officer Col. Vered Ben Yehuda. “The IDF is an apolitical people’s army that will do everything necessary to ensure that the elections are held as scheduled.”
Soldiers may also vote at civilian polling stations on October 27. Double envelopes will be used to ensure each soldier votes only once.
Eisenkot and Lieberman prioritize turnout
Eisenkot and Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman met and issued a joint statement urging voters to support one of the four parties in the “Serving Bloc” and avoid parties that fail to cross the threshold.
They pledged continued cooperation to replace what they called the “government of failure” on October 27, saying: “The important effort is to increase voter turnout in the elections.”
Netanyahu seeks withdrawals as Winter remains defiant
Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich met with Rabbi Eli Sadan over Winter’s candidacy. Sadan told Netanyahu that his influence over Winter was limited; Netanyahu argued that a public appeal would help undecided voters. No decision has been made.
Netanyahu also met Moti Leitner, chairman of a new ultra-Orthodox party, in an attempt to persuade him to withdraw.
Winter said:
“The people of Israel are fed up with the ugly and unethical campaign you have led. We are going all the way, with full force.”
He added:
“We came to present an alternative kind of leadership for the right. Leadership that takes responsibility, leadership that knows how to say, ‘I failed, I was wrong.’”
Smotrich complained:
“Winter has been boycotting me for six months now. I’ve become radioactive. His campaign is trampling all over me and the prime minister.”
Otzma Yehudit sets out its coalition message
Otzma Yehudit is campaigning for a stronger role in a Likud-led right-wing coalition. The party argues that a stronger showing for Itamar Ben-Gvir would help keep a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu committed to right-wing policies.
Otzma Yehudit | Ballot letter: ב (Bet)
Sponsored by Otzma Yehudit. Commissioned by Daniel Lauder: info@otzma.org.
Stern backs Netanyahu; Vance addresses election endorsements
Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern rallied to Netanyahu’s support, a year after Likud tried to unseat him in municipal elections.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said he does not interfere in Israeli elections and endorses candidates only within the United States. His remarks came despite his earlier trip to Hungary on the eve of its elections to support Viktor Orbán.
