Record Voter Turnout in Israeli Elections Amidst Haredi Party Concerns
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Israel experienced record voter turnout in the 26th Knesset elections, with 16.68% casting ballots by 10 AM, the highest since 1981. Haredi parties like Shas and United Torah Judaism expressed concern over potential apathy despite the high numbers. Several party leaders, including Naftali Bennett and President Isaac Herzog, voted. Police arrested three individuals on suspicion of voter bribery, and the Central Elections Committee addressed other reported irregularities. Voting continues until 10 PM.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Voter turnout reached 16.68% by 10 AM, the highest in 45 years, with 1.2 million citizens voting.
- Haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism fear voter apathy despite high early turnout.
- Police arrested three individuals on suspicion of voter bribery for the Ra'am party.
- Central Elections Committee denied reports of Likud monitoring voters via an app.
- Voting continues until 10 PM, with exit polls to follow.
- President Isaac Herzog and several party leaders have cast their votes.
Election Day for the 26th Knesset saw high voter turnout, with 16.68% of eligible voters casting ballots by 10:00 AM, according to the Central Elections Committee. This figure represents approximately 1.2 million citizens and marks the highest turnout at this hour since 1981. For comparison, the previous election in November 2022 recorded 15.9% turnout by 10:00 AM, indicating a 0.78 percentage point increase.
Early reports indicated active participation, with queues observed at polling stations in cities like Ra'anana and Rishon LeZion. The Central Elections Committee confirmed that over 95% of polling stations opened on time, with only minor localized delays. Despite the strong start, it remains too early to determine if this trend will continue until polls close.
Haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, are closely monitoring turnout figures, concerned about potential voter apathy. Following an election campaign shadowed by the conscription crisis and criticism of Haredi representation, their campaign headquarters are working to prevent a drop in participation, particularly in large Haredi population centers. Prominent figures like Rabbi Dov Landau and Aryeh Deri have cast their votes, with campaign officials expressing hope that recent efforts have mobilized undecided voters, though fears of people staying home persist.
Leaders of major parties also participated in voting. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett voted in Ra'anana, Avigdor Lieberman cast his ballot, and MK Gadi Eisenkot visited polling stations in Ofakim and Kibbutz Nir Oz. President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal voted in Jerusalem.
Unusual incidents were reported, including the arrest of three individuals in the Negev on suspicion of planning to bribe voters for the Ra'am party. Police seized envelopes containing cash and ballots during searches. The Central Elections Committee also addressed claims of Likud monitoring voters via an app, stating no confirming reports were received, though a case of unauthorized photography at a polling station in Yarchiv was stopped after guidelines were clarified.
Voting is scheduled to continue until 10:00 PM, after which television exit polls will be released and vote counting will commence.
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