Israeli Lawmaker Warns of Election Day Attacks by Adversaries

Boaz Bismuth, the Chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, warned on Monday that Israel's enemies will attempt to disrupt the upcoming election day and influence its results. He stated this during a special security discussion held in anticipation of the elections, where threat assessments across all fronts and foreign interference attempts were presented. Bismuth assured that the security establishment is on high alert to thwart any attempts to harm public safety and the electoral process.

The discussion and Bismuth's warning come amid broader security preparations. The police have developed an operational plan to manage voting under various emergency scenarios, including war, missile attacks, or attempts to disrupt polling stations. These preparations involved a war game simulation with the participation of the Central Elections Committee chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg.

Police have assessed force deployment, polling station security, and evacuation procedures during alarms. Polling stations have been categorized by risk level, with some receiving permanent police presence and others managed by mobile patrols based on threat assessments. In the event of significant escalation on election day, a joint assessment will be held by the Central Elections Committee, police, and security agencies, with decisions on polling station operations guided by the situation and Home Front Command directives.

Additionally, the Central Elections Committee is preparing for cyber threats, the use of artificial intelligence, and the spread of disinformation. Judge Sohlberg emphasized the committee's collaboration with the police, Shin Bet, and the cyber array to ensure the integrity of the results and the smooth running of the elections.