High participation and incomplete local figures
Voter turnout reached 44.9% by 2:00 PM, compared with 38.9% at the same hour in the previous election, reportedly the highest participation at this stage since at least 1969. According to the military, turnout among IDF soldiers reached 48% by 1:00 PM, compared with 44.4% at the same hour in 2022.
The locality breakdown accompanying the noon update remained incomplete, covering approximately 500,000 voters rather than 1.2 million. An updated breakdown was expected to provide a more accurate picture.
Reported turnout in the Bedouin community of Atawna reached 64% before the voting day’s halfway point, exceeding the 41% recorded over the entire previous election day. Among the Kabu’a tribe, participation stood at 47%, compared with 29% for the full voting day in 2022.
Long queues were reported in Jerusalem, Ra’anana and the Negev after more than half the voting day had passed. Amid the heavy turnout, the Election Committee issued new guidance concerning identification of the next voter in line.
Campaign messages and electoral assessments
In his first public appearance of the day, more than five hours after polling stations opened, Netanyahu alleged:
“They’re trying to steal the election from us.”
Bennett said:
“Being the largest party in Israel means absolutely nothing — quite the opposite.”
Amit Segal interpreted high participation in Southern Islamic Movement strongholds as evidence of Mansour Abbas’s electoral preparations. He described the Bedouin communities discussed as recording some of the country’s highest turnout rates and surpassing ultra-Orthodox participation at that stage.
Segal assessed that differing turnout trends across cities would make crossing the electoral threshold harder for smaller parties, primarily those in Netanyahu’s bloc. He argued that small parties would have almost no chance in that scenario and medium-sized parties would effectively become small parties. These were electoral assessments, not established outcomes.
Arrest and investigation into alleged voter payments
The Democrats reported a suspected attempted stabbing of party chairman Yair Golan while he was meeting voters at a campaign event in a Tel Aviv park. According to the party’s account, a large knife fell from the clothing of a man who approached him.
The suspect was arrested, but police sources offered a different preliminary assessment, saying it did not appear that the man, described as homeless, had attempted to harm Golan.
In a separate investigation reported by Li Ayash, police were examining whether a public official was behind suspects who allegedly intended to distribute money to Ra’am voters. One suspect acknowledged being a party activist.
Election security assurance
Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) Director Zini said citizens could be confidently assured that the elections were secure and that integrity and oversight were being maintained.
