Election in Israel: Election Commission reports high turnout

Almost a third of voters have already cast their votes in Israel's parliamentary elections. The election commission reports this according to the Israeli media “Haaretz” and “Jerusalem Post”. According to this, voter turnout at twelve o'clock local time was already 31.5 percent, the highest value at lunchtime since the 1970s. Most polling stations in Israel are open until 10 p.m. local time (9 p.m. German time). Around 7.3 million eligible voters are called upon to choose the 120 members of the Knesset.

The parliamentary election is seen by many as a fateful election for the country's domestic and socio-political direction. It is the first parliamentary election since the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023 and the Gaza war.

Long queues formed in front of many polling stations, as eyewitnesses from the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv and the predominantly Arab city of Taibe reported. According to surveys, a neck-and-neck race is emerging between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political opponents. The main challenger is former military chief Gadi Eisenkot at the head of the centrist Jashar party.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu cast their votes at a polling station in Jerusalem. They appealed: “Go vote!” Eisenkot also called for the vote. He said: "There is a wind of change blowing in Israel." According to media reports, 70,000 Israelis traveled from abroad to cast their votes there.

As in previous elections, a post-election stalemate cannot be ruled out. In this case, Netanyahu could remain in office for the time being at the head of a transitional government. At least 61 seats are required for a majority in the Knesset.

A total of 36 lists are competing. According to surveys, around a third of them could overcome the threshold of 3.25 percent and enter parliament. After the vote, lengthy coalition negotiations are likely to follow until a government is formed.