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Historic turnout in Knesset election as Likud seeks longer voting hours
Turnout in Israel's election reached 55.7% by 4 p.m., the highest recorded at that time since participation tracking began. Netanyahu-led Likud requested extended voting hours amid notable turnout in Arab towns.
Israel's general election is seeing unprecedented turnout, reaching 55.7% by 4 p.m., according to the Central Elections Committee. It is the highest rate recorded at that time since the committee began tracking participation by hour.
Turnout had reached 44.9% by 2 p.m., representing about 3.29 million voters, compared with 38.9% at the same time in the 2022 election, 34.6% in 2021 and 38.1% in 2020.
Likud requests extended voting hours
Likud, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that it had submitted a request to the Central Elections Committee to extend voting hours. The Shas party joined the request in an effort to mobilize more of its supporters. Election law authorizes the committee chair and deputies to extend voting hours and, when necessary, add an additional voting day.
The committee has not issued an official decision on an extension, but acting Director-General Dean Livni confirmed that polling stations would remain open after 10 p.m. for anyone in line at that time. About 7.33 million people are eligible to vote at more than 12,000 polling stations.
Netanyahu: "They are trying to steal the election"
After casting his ballot, Netanyahu said: "We learned this morning that they are trying to steal our election," referring to the police arrest of three people in the south who were carrying envelopes filled with money. He added: "We cannot allow the Arab parties to control the system." Election authorities clarified that the detainees had not reached polling stations and described the incident as a "local case" under investigation.
Mansour Abbas, head of the United Arab List, accused Netanyahu of lying and incitement, while the Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, said Netanyahu was "laying the groundwork to challenge the results."
Lieberman: We are far ahead
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, said: "We are far ahead of Netanyahu. Netanyahu is in a state of panic because he knows he will lose." Eisenkot urged voters to replace "the worst government since the establishment of the state."
Notable turnout in Arab towns
Arab towns saw strong participation, and video footage showed Arab voters heading to polling stations on camels, horses and donkeys. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described turnout among Arab voters as "crazy" without providing evidence.
Video footage circulating online showed a violent fight breaking out inside a polling station, while police in Tel Aviv arrested a man carrying a large knife near Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party.
Polling stations will close at 10 p.m. local time. Exit poll results will be released immediately after the polls close, while official results will be announced within eight days.
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