Israelis Vote in 26th Knesset Elections; Netanyahu, Eisenkot Cast Ballots
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
Israelis are voting today for the 26th Knesset, with over 7.3 million eligible voters at 12,018 polling stations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot have already cast their ballots. Free public transport is available for distances over 15 kilometers to encourage turnout. Exit polls will be released after polls close at 10:00 PM.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israelis are voting today for the 26th Knesset, with 7,331,981 eligible voters.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot have cast their votes.
- Most polling stations will close at 10:00 PM, with exit polls to follow.
- Free public transport is offered for distances over 15 kilometers to boost turnout.
- Police and Shin Bet are on high alert for provocations and fake news.
Israelis are casting their votes today for the 26th Knesset, with 7,331,981 eligible voters across 12,018 polling stations nationwide. Voting commenced at 7:00 AM, and most stations will close at 10:00 PM. Official turnout figures are not yet available, with the Central Elections Committee releasing updates every two hours.
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar! party was among the first prominent politicians to vote, casting his ballot in Ofakim. He emphasized the historic significance of these elections for Israel's security and future. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party, traditionally votes with his wife in Jerusalem and is expected to urge the right-wing camp to participate. Leaders of the joint list Bayahad, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, are scheduled to vote in Ra'anana and Tel Aviv, respectively. Their campaign teams are actively engaging young, secular voters on social media.
Right-wing figures Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are anticipating strong support from the conservative electorate and are likely to vote in settlements in Judea and Samaria. On election day, Israel is observing a paid public holiday. To facilitate voter access, train and intercity bus travel exceeding 15 kilometers are free. Police and the Shin Bet are on high alert, monitoring for potential provocations at polling stations and tracking fake news on social media. Initial exit polls are expected after polls close at 10:00 PM, with final results determined by vote counting.
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