Police Prepare for Election Day Disruptions, Including Roadblocks

Israeli police are preparing for potential attempts to disrupt voting on election day, with specific concerns about protests and road blockades organized within the ultra-Orthodox community. A senior police official stated that there are warnings of demonstrations aimed at interfering with the voting process and blocking major routes. Despite these concerns, the official anticipates that election day will pass relatively peacefully.

Approximately 22,000 police officers will be deployed across the country, with a police presence near almost every polling station. Polling stations have been categorized by risk level for potential friction, with particular attention paid to locations within the ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities. Riot police (Yassam) are prepared to be deployed if necessary against anyone attempting to disrupt voting.

The police are also aware of a plan to distribute hundreds of dollars to voters in the ultra-Orthodox community who do not vote. This initiative is reportedly part of broader efforts by certain groups to disrupt public order on election day, protesting the arrest of yeshiva students and draft dodgers related to the conscription issue.

Organizers of these disruptive actions believe that reducing overall voter turnout serves their goals. The aim is to create provocations, block major roads, and prevent voters from reaching polling stations freely, thereby bringing their protest to the forefront of public attention. Last week, demonstrators associated with Rabbi Tzvi Friedman blocked Highway 4 near the Gan Yavne interchange in protest of arrests of yeshiva students.