Turnout reaches its highest level in decades
Voter turnout reached 44.9% by 2:00 PM, compared with 38.9% at the same hour in the previous election. This was reported as the highest turnout at this stage since at least 1969.
At noon, turnout stood at 31.5%, reported as the highest noon figure since 1973.
According to the military, turnout among IDF soldiers reached 48% by 1:00 PM, compared with 44.4% at the same hour in 2022.
Local figures remain incomplete
The reported locality figures accompanying the noon update were: Rahat 36.9%, Modi’in 36.7%, Modi’in Illit 33.2%, Tel Aviv 28.8%, Be’er Sheva 27.4%, Jerusalem 27.1% and Netanya 23.8%.
However, the locality breakdown covered approximately 500,000 voters rather than 1.2 million. An updated breakdown was expected shortly to provide a more accurate picture.
In the Bedouin community of Atawna, reported turnout had already reached 64% before the halfway point of the voting day, compared with 41% for the entire previous election day. Among the Kabu’a tribe, turnout stood at 47%, compared with 29% for the full voting day in 2022.
An unattributed election commentary interpreted the high participation in Southern Islamic Movement strongholds as evidence of Mansour Abbas’s electoral preparations. It described those strongholds as recording some of the country’s highest turnout rates.
The commentary characterized such participation among what it described as Israel’s poorest population segment as unusual internationally. It compared the turnout with ultra-Orthodox participation, saying the Bedouin communities discussed were surpassing that group at this stage.
Queues prompt new polling-station guidance
Later reports, after more than half the voting day had passed, described long lines at polling stations in Jerusalem, Ra’anana and the Negev.
Amid the heavy turnout, the Election Committee issued new guidance concerning the identification process for the next voter in line.
Netanyahu and Bennett deliver election messages
Netanyahu made his first public appearance of the day more than five hours after polling stations opened. In his first video, he said:
“They’re trying to steal the election from us.”
Bennett said:
“Being the largest party in Israel means absolutely nothing — quite the opposite.”
Turnout analysis warns of threshold pressure
The same unattributed commentary argued that, although turnout was high, participation trends differed across cities. It assessed that smaller parties, primarily those in Netanyahu’s bloc, would face greater difficulty crossing the electoral threshold.
It argued that small parties would stand almost no chance in this scenario and that medium-sized parties would effectively become small parties. These were electoral assessments, rather than established outcomes.
Police question suspected attack account involving Yair Golan
The Democrats reported a suspected attempted stabbing of party chairman Yair Golan during a campaign event in a Tel Aviv park, where he was meeting voters. According to that account, a large knife fell from the clothing of a man who approached him. The suspect was arrested.
Police sources offered a different preliminary assessment, saying it did not appear that the suspect, described as a homeless man, had attempted to harm Golan.
Police investigate alleged cash distribution plan
According to reporting attributed to Li Ayash, police are investigating whether a public official was behind suspects who allegedly intended to distribute money to Ra’am voters.
One suspect acknowledged being a party activist.
Shin Bet director says elections are secure
Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) Director Zini said:
“We can confidently assure the citizens of Israel that the elections are secure, with integrity and oversight maintained in an inspiring manner.”
