22,000 Officers Deployed for Knesset Election Security

Israel Police have mobilized approximately 22,000 officers to secure the Knesset election, a figure that exceeds the roughly 17,000 deployed in the previous cycle. The deployment is designed to manage public order during voting and the subsequent hours, with specific focus on the period following the release of exit polls at 10:00 p.m.

A senior police official stated that voting day is expected to proceed with relative calm, but the primary concern lies in the immediate aftermath. The official noted that exit poll results could prompt citizens to take to the streets, either in celebration or in protest. "I think the day after, as we call it, is no less sensitive," he said. Police forces will remain active nationwide through the night, the following day, and into the weekend.

The security operation includes dedicated protection for five major party gatherings. Four of these events are scheduled in Tel Aviv, while the Likud party will hold its event at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem. The official emphasized that each venue requires a substantial police presence to manage crowds and logistics.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a comprehensive briefing on the security plan, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in attendance. The briefing covered intelligence assessments, threats from hostile terrorist activity, and operational readiness. Police have coordinated with the Shin Bet and the IDF for approximately three months to finalize the strategy.

Concerns about post-election instability are rooted in previous planning efforts. In August, Maariv military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi reported that the defense establishment developed a scenario called "Operation Capitol." This plan, drafted by a team led by retired Maj.-Gen. Sigal Bar-Tzvi, addresses situations where a political bloc claims results were forged and attempts to disrupt public order, similar to the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol.

A senior retired police officer advised that Police Commissioner Danny Levy should prioritize election night over voting day. He described a potential scenario where a bloc leader rejects the results, calling supporters into the streets while the opposing camp mobilizes to defend the process. In such a case, he said, police would likely require assistance from the IDF.

Several former police and Shin Bet officials argue that this specific scenario should be the top priority. They have recommended formal orders on force allocation, exercises at National Headquarters, and war games for commanders. One former security official warned, "It would be a massive failure if it turns out this scenario was not placed at the top of the list." A retired police major general also noted that while the Shin Bet and police are responsible for an orderly transfer of power, current polling discrepancies and a campaign against the Central Elections Committee could complicate the narrative.