Israel Mobilizes 22,000 Officers for Vote

Israel Police will deploy approximately 22,000 officers to secure the 26th Knesset election, a force that is 5,000 larger than the contingent used in the previous cycle. The primary focus of this operation is the period following the release of exit polls, which is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. A senior police official noted that while voting day itself is expected to be calm, the days that follow present the greatest risk for public disorder.

Preparation for this operation began three months ago, involving coordination between the police, the Shin Bet, and the Israel Defense Forces. A comprehensive briefing was presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in attendance. The briefing covered intelligence assessments, potential terrorist threats, and operational readiness. The official stated that the prime minister and his ministry director-general were impressed by the staff work involved in planning the deployment.

Police resources will not be limited to polling stations during voting hours. Large forces will remain active nationwide after the polls close to manage friction and confrontations that may last through the night and into the weekend. Five major party gatherings require specific security coverage, with four events located in Tel Aviv and one for Likud at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem. The official described these setups as requiring a very large number of police forces to maintain order.

The security establishment has also developed a specific contingency plan for extraordinary post-election events. In August, Maariv military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi reported on "Operation Capitol," a scenario modeled after the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol. This plan was drafted by a team led by retired Maj. Gen. Sigal Bar-Tzvi, a former head of the Police Operations Directorate. It addresses scenarios where one political bloc claims the results were forged and attempts to disrupt the vote count or storm the Knesset.

Senior retired police officers have urged current leadership to prioritize this scenario over standard deployment tasks. One official described a dangerous situation where a bloc leader rejects results and calls supporters into the streets while the opposing camp mobilizes to defend the democratic process. In such a case, police would likely require assistance from the IDF. Several former officials argue that formal orders on force allocation and commander war games are necessary to ensure this scenario is handled correctly.

A retired police major general highlighted additional risks, including widespread civilian firearms and armed groups. He pointed to weekly polls from a news channel that diverge from other surveys, which he said could help build a narrative of stolen elections. He also noted an ongoing campaign against the Central Elections Committee and the Supreme Court. The general described the current environment as a dangerous platform for civil conflict, stating that this election is a test of leadership.

The senior police official emphasized the need for an apolitical force to conduct the elections. He stated that it is impossible to hold elections in the State of Israel without a police force that is free of political influence in both conduct and public perception. This independence is required even while the police operate under the National Security Ministry. The official added that the day after the vote is no less sensitive than voting day itself, requiring sustained attention from security forces.