Israel Police Mobilize 22,000 Officers for Post-Exit Poll Security

Israeli police forces will deploy approximately 22,000 officers to manage public order around the elections for the 26th Knesset, with the operational focus shifting heavily to the hours after exit polls are released at 10:00 p.m. A senior police official stated that while voting day itself is expected to pass quietly, the tension may persist into the following days, requiring sustained police presence nationwide.

The deployment represents a significant increase from the roughly 17,000 officers used in the previous election cycle. Police are preparing for potential friction and confrontations that could extend through the night, the next day, and into the weekend. The official noted that the force cannot limit its attention to polling stations during voting hours, as large units will remain active across the country to handle reactions to the early results.

Security resources will also be allocated to five major party gatherings scheduled for the evening. Four of these events will take place in Tel Aviv, while the Likud party will hold its gathering at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem. The official explained that each of these large-scale party events requires a substantial number of police personnel to ensure safety and manage the crowds.

A comprehensive security briefing was presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was joined by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The session covered intelligence assessments, the threat of hostile terrorist activity, and operational readiness for public order concerns. According to the official, the Prime Minister and his ministry director-general were impressed by the staff work, which involved approximately three months of preparation with the Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces.

Former security officials have raised concerns about a scenario in which one political bloc claims the results were forged and rejects them, a plan previously identified by Maariv military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi as "Operation Capitol." This contingency, modeled in part on the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol, was drafted by a team led by retired Maj.-Gen. Sigal Bar-Tzvi. The plan covers claims of widespread fraud and attempts to disrupt the vote count, including a scenario where tens of thousands attempt to storm the Knesset.

A senior retired police officer argued that Police Commissioner Danny Levy should be most concerned about election night rather than the deployment on voting day. He described a dangerous situation where a bloc leader rejects the results and mobilizes supporters into the streets, potentially requiring assistance from the IDF. Several former police and Shin Bet officials have urged that this scenario be prioritized, with formal orders on force allocation and war games for commanders.

One retired police major general noted that while the Shin Bet and police are responsible for an orderly transfer of power, reliance on the Shin Bet is currently difficult. He pointed to weekly polls from a specific news channel that diverge from other surveys, which he said could prepare a narrative of stolen elections. The officer also warned about widespread civilian firearms and armed groups, stating that the situation represents a test of leadership.