Israeli Turnout Soars as War, Fear, and Pressure Shape a High-Stakes Election
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Two-thirds of eligible Israelis had voted by early evening, pushing participation well beyond the 2022 election and toward a level not seen since 1973. While officials pointed to record engagement, rights advocates warned that long lines and heavy policing may be discouraging Palestinian citizens of Israel from voting.
Israel's Central Elections Committee reported that about 66.7% of eligible voters had cast ballots by 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, exceeding the 57.7% recorded at the same hour in the 2022 election. Military personnel turnout was also higher, reaching more than 68% by 5 p.m., up from 65% a year earlier.
Polling stations will remain open until 10 p.m., and voters still in line at that time will be allowed to vote, the committee said. A request by the Likud party to extend voting hours was rejected.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged right-wing supporters to vote, posting on X that turnout in the Arab sector was “unprecedented” and warning of a “dangerous left-wing government,” a familiar attempt to stoke sectarian fear.
Pollster Mitchell Barak, a former aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the turnout as “really high” and suggested it could surpass the 1973 peak, when Israel was also engaged in a major war. He noted that a higher overall vote count raises the number of votes needed to pass the 3.25% electoral threshold for Knesset representation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed voters, emphasizing the importance of high participation across all sectors and calling the day “a fateful moment.”
Arab-led candidates, including Ahmad Tibi, said their communities were voting in “unprecedented” numbers. Meanwhile, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel filed a complaint alleging that long lines and a strong police presence in some areas might be suppressing votes, particularly among Palestinian citizens of Israel.