Shin Bet chief David Zini has said as Israelis head to the polls in record numbers on Tuesday, "Voter turnout is high, and we can confidently tell the citizens of Israel that the elections are being monitored and conducted in a proper and inspiring manner."
Today is Israel's first national legislative election since the Oct.7, 2023 Hamas-led attack which unleashed years of war, particularly focused in the Gaza Strip. The Lebanon conflict is also still smoldering, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - whose political fate is being determined in the vote - is threatening renewed war on Iran.
"The elections for the 26th Knesset began on Tuesday morning, with 7,331,981 voters eligible to participate. 12,018 polling stations will be set up across the country, where voters can choose between 36 lists running to fill the 120 seats in Israel's legislature," Israel National News Arutz Sheva previews.
Polls opened at 7am and will close at 10pm (4pm US eastern).
Already the election is being widely described as having incredibly high voter turnout, which is being seen as not boding well for Netanyahu and his Likud party, suggesting "Bibi fatigue" - which is likely to result in more votes for parties either further to the right or to the left.
The Times of Israel is a noon update writes:
Voter turnout stood at 31.5% as of noon, according to the Central Elections Committee, up from 28.4% at the same time in the 2022 election.
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