Record Voter Turnout Exceeds All Previous Highs by 2 PM

The high participation led to long queues and congestion at polling stations across the country. In response, the Central Elections Committee, headed by Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, issued new directives to streamline the process, including allowing expired but identifiable ID cards, prioritizing voters with disabilities, and permitting voters to enter the booth area while the previous voter finishes. The committee assured that anyone in line by the 10:00 PM closing time would be allowed to vote.

Political reactions and local turnouts varied. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attributed the high turnout to exceptional participation in the Arab sector and left-wing strongholds, while Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri expressed concern over voter apathy in Haredi and right-wing strongholds. The Bedouin city of Al-Atawneh in the Negev reported a turnout of 64.1% by 2:00 PM, and IDF soldier turnout reached 48% by 1:00 PM. Meanwhile, an interim legal order prohibited Yahadut HaTorah from transmitting real-time voter count reports.

Several incidents and complaints were reported during the day. The Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, filed an urgent complaint alleging that its ballots were removed or damaged, though the Elections Committee found no evidence of systematic manipulation. In Ramat Gan, a 94-year-old voter, Israel Kreis, died shortly after casting his ballot. Despite widespread political disillusionment, voters reported a heightened sense of civic duty and social pressure to participate in the post-October 7 atmosphere.