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A woman prepares to vote at a polling station in the Arab-Israeli city of Umm al-Fahm during Israel’s legislative elections, Oct. 27, 2026. (Credit: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)
Add as preferred on Google With polling stations scheduled to close at 10 p.m. local time, Benjamin Netanyahu urged right-wing voters to turn out late in the day, writing on X that there were only “four hours left to save Israel.” Earlier, the prime minister accused members of the Arab Raam party of trying to “steal” the election after three people were arrested on suspicion of attempting to buy votes for the party.Likud requested an extension of voting hours in the legislative election, in which all 120 Knesset seats are up for election. The centrist Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, opposed the request, arguing that no exceptional event justified the measure. At 2 p.m., turnout stood at 44.9%, compared with 38.9% at the same time in 2022 — the highest turnout recorded at that hour since records began in 1973.Why it mattersThe election also hinges on... You have reached your article limitStay informed about a Middle East in crisis.Subscribe for $0.5/month for the first 3 months. Subscribe now Log in This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers. Subscribe now Log in Create a free account to continue reading this article. You’ll also receive The Morning Brief, our must-read daily digest of Middle East news. Opt out anytime Email Address Password Email Address Password I would like to receive special offers from L'Orient Today as well as selections of the best articles. Register By creating an account, you agree to the terms and conditions of use and our privacy policy. Register Or register with: Facebook
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