Post-Exit Poll Anxiety: Israel Stages 22,000 Officers for Election Night

Voters in Israel should expect heavy police presence in the days following the Knesset election, with security officials prioritizing the hours after exit polls release over the voting day itself. A senior police official stated that while polling day is expected to be quiet, tension is likely to persist through the following weekend. The primary concern is the reaction of citizens to the results, which are scheduled for release at 10:00 p.m. The official noted that the period immediately after the vote is no less sensitive than the election day itself.

Approximately 22,000 officers are assigned to the security operation, a figure that exceeds the roughly 17,000 deployed for the previous election. Forces will remain active nationwide after polls close to handle friction and potential confrontations. Police will also secure five major party gatherings, including four events in Tel Aviv and one Likud rally at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem. The official explained that these large-scale party events require substantial police resources.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir received a comprehensive briefing on the operational plan. The briefing covered intelligence assessments, public order concerns, and the threat of hostile terrorist activity. Police have spent three months preparing with the Shin Bet and the IDF. The prime minister and his ministry director-general reviewed the staff work, which the official described as impressive.

Security officials emphasize the need for an apolitical police force to ensure a smooth transition. A senior retired police officer advised Commissioner Danny Levy to focus on election night rather than deployment on voting day. He described a scenario where a bloc leader rejects the results and mobilizes supporters, potentially requiring assistance from the IDF. Former security officials argue that this specific scenario must remain at the top of the priority list, with formal orders and war games conducted for commanders.

A retired police major general warned that current conditions make reliance on the Shin Bet difficult. He pointed to weekly news channel polls that diverge from other surveys and a campaign against the Central Elections Committee and the Supreme Court. He also cited widespread civilian firearms as a risk factor. The general described the situation as a test of leadership, noting that the defense establishment had previously prepared for a scenario modeled on the January 6, 2021, storming of the US Capitol.

The plan, known as Operation Capitol, was drafted by a team led by retired Maj. Gen. Sigal Bar-Tzvi. It covers claims of widespread fraud and attempts to disrupt the vote count. The scenario includes the possibility of tens of thousands trying to storm the Knesset. Maariv military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi reported in August that the defense establishment was preparing for this specific event. Former officials continue to hold periodic conversations with Police Commissioner Levy to raise these concerns.