Netanyahu Asked Police to Monitor Left-Wing Activists Two Days Before Election

Gadi Eisenkot, whose party is variously referred to as Yisrael Beiteinu, Yachad, Yashar, and National Unity, petitioned Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg to cancel the meeting. Eisenkot and other critics, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, argued that Netanyahu, as a candidate, has no authority over election integrity and that the meeting constituted improper political interference. Baharav-Miara supported the calls for cancellation, stating there was no record of similar past meetings, disputing claims by Netanyahu's office and Ben-Gvir that such briefings are routine.

Justice Sohlberg ultimately permitted the meeting to proceed but restricted its scope strictly to public order and security, barring any discussion of election integrity or management. Netanyahu's legal team clarified that the meeting would be held in person rather than by phone, as initially stated in error. During the meeting, Netanyahu reportedly presented videos of a far-left group called Hajdounim and requested that police pay special attention to their activities, citing concerns over potential disruptions. The Likud party defended the meeting as a necessary security briefing to address threats and prevent election disruption.