Israel Police Deploy 22,000 Officers for Knesset Vote Security

Israel Police will deploy 22,000 officers to secure the Knesset election, a figure that marks a substantial increase from the roughly 17,000 personnel assigned to the previous vote. The expanded force is designed to manage public order across the country, with a specific focus on the period following the release of exit polls at 10:00 p.m. on election day.

A senior police official stated that voting day itself is expected to proceed without major incidents. However, the official warned that tensions may persist into the days after the vote. "I think the day after, as we call it, is no less sensitive," the official said, noting that exit poll results could drive either celebratory or angry crowds into the streets. Police are preparing for friction and confrontations through the night, the next day, and into the weekend.

The security operation includes the protection of 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 the resource intensity of these events, stating, "Every setup like this, and I am referring to party events, requires a very large number of police forces."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attended a comprehensive briefing on the security plan. The session covered intelligence assessments, the threat of hostile terrorist activity, public order concerns, and operational readiness. The official reported that the prime minister and his ministry director-general were impressed by the staff work. Police have been coordinating with the Shin Bet and the IDF for approximately three months to finalize these preparations.

The senior police official stressed the necessity of maintaining an apolitical police force. "It is completely impossible to hold elections in the State of Israel without an apolitical police force," he said. He added that while the police operate under the National Security Minister, they must remain free of political influence in both their conduct and their public perception.

Concerns about post-election instability are not new to the defense establishment. In August, Maariv military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi reported that the defense establishment was preparing for a scenario dubbed "Operation Capitol." This plan was modeled after the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol. It was drafted by a team led by retired Maj.-Gen. Sigal Bar-Tzvi, a former head of the Police Operations Directorate.

The "Operation Capitol" scenario covers claims of widespread fraud, attempts to disrupt the vote count, and situations where tens of thousands try to storm the Knesset. A senior retired police officer advised Police Commissioner Danny Levy to focus more on election night than on deployment during voting hours. He described a dangerous scenario in which a bloc leader rejects the results and mobilizes supporters, requiring police assistance from the IDF.

Several former police and Shin Bet officials argue that this specific scenario should top the priority list. They recommend formal orders on force allocation, exercises at National Headquarters, and war games for commanders. "It would be a massive failure if it turns out this scenario was not placed at the top of the list," one former security official said. Maariv reported that Commissioner Levy held periodic conversations with former senior officials, some of whom raised these concerns.

A 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 aired on a news channel that diverge from other surveys, which he said could help prepare a narrative of stolen elections. He also warned about widespread civilian firearms and armed groups, calling the current environment a dangerous platform for civil war. "This is a test of leadership," he said.