Israel Police Scale Deployment to 22,000 for Knesset Vote

Israeli voters will find a heavier police presence on the streets after the polls close on Tuesday. The Israel Police plan to deploy 22,000 officers for the election of the 26th Knesset. This number is up from roughly 17,000 officers used in the previous general election. The force aims to manage public order during the hours immediately following the release of exit polls.

A senior police official noted that voting day itself should pass without major incidents. However, the official warned that tension could persist into the days after the vote. Exit polls are scheduled for release at 10:00 p.m. The official stated, "I think the day after, as we call it, is no less sensitive." Police are preparing for friction and confrontations through the night and into the weekend. Large units will stay active across the country rather than limiting their focus to polling stations during voting hours.

The security operation includes the protection of five major party gatherings. Four of these events are located in Tel Aviv. A fifth gathering for the Likud party will take place at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem. The official explained that each party event requires a substantial number of officers. "Every setup like this, and I am referring to party events, requires a very large number of police forces," the official said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir received a comprehensive briefing on the plan. The review covered intelligence assessments, terrorist threats, and operational readiness.

Police have spent the last three months preparing for the election alongside the Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces. The senior official said the prime minister and his ministry director-general were impressed by the staff work. The official also emphasized the political independence of the police force. "It is completely impossible to hold elections in the State of Israel without an apolitical police force," the official stated. This assertion holds true even as the police operate under the National Security Ministry.

Security concerns extend beyond standard crowd control. In August, Maariv military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi reported on a defense scenario known as Operation Capitol. The plan prepares for a bloc leader rejecting results and claiming fraud. The scenario was shaped by the January 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol. Retired Maj.-Gen. Sigal Bar-Tzvi, a former head of the Police Operations Directorate, drafted the order. It covers claims of widespread fraud and attempts to disrupt the vote count.

A senior retired police officer advised Police Commissioner Danny Levy to prioritize election night over voting day. The officer described a scenario where opposing camps mobilize into the streets if one side rejects the outcome. In such a case, the police would require assistance from the IDF. Several former security officials argued that this scenario should be the top priority. They recommended formal orders on force allocation and war games for commanders. "It would be a massive failure if it turns out this scenario was not placed at the top of the list," one former official said. A retired police major general warned about the role of media narratives and civilian firearms in escalating tensions. He called the situation a test of leadership.