Israeli Election Day Marked by Political Spats and Security Incident

On election day for the 26th Knesset, political tensions flared as Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, accused Channel 14 of "spreading wicked and vile lies on live broadcast." This statement came after Daniel Cohen, former legal advisor for the Labor Party, appeared on Channel 14 and criticized Lieberman, alleging that the NIS 54 billion he allocated to Mansour Abbas had reached Hamas, contributing to Israeli soldier casualties. Lieberman's party responded by stating that "no smear campaign will change the facts" and that the channel was "afraid."

Meanwhile, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yishai party, cast his vote in Herzliya after visiting the grave of his son, Gal, who was killed in the Gaza war. Eisenkot declared, "We are setting Israel on a new path" and pledged to "be worthy." He also dismissed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign rhetoric, advising voters "not to be alarmed by his scare tactics," referencing a past presentation depicting an atomic bomb over Tel Aviv. Eisenkot urged citizens to vote in what he described as "critical elections, perhaps the most critical day since the establishment of the state."

In a separate security incident, police in Tel Aviv arrested a young man in his 20s near Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, at the Mesilat Park. A knife was found on the suspect, a resident of Jerusalem. Police quickly clarified that there was no stabbing attempt, contrary to initial rumors. Officers noticed the man exhibiting suspicious behavior and a visible object under his coat while standing near Golan. The suspect was detained for questioning, and the investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.