2026 elections underway: The Israelis who cast their ballot before everyone else

The elections for the 26th Knesset have begun with the opening of voting at Israeli missions worldwide, 12 days before election day in Israel. President Herzog called for calming political tensions and urged not to view the elections as a civil war, while the consul in New York harshly attacked anti-Israel protesters.

The elections for the 26th Knesset have begun: voting at Israeli missions worldwide started today (Thursday), 12 days before election day in Israel, which will take place on October 27. About 4,800 state emissaries and their eligible family members will be able to exercise their right to vote at 101 polling stations set up in 99 Israeli missions around the world. President Isaac Herzog, who is on a diplomatic visit to Azerbaijan, arrived this morning at the Israeli embassy in Baku and called on citizens to exercise their democratic right. "These are very important elections after a difficult period for the State of Israel, and the main thing I want to say to all Israeli citizens is that elections are not a civil war," Herzog said. Meanwhile, the Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, harshly attacked anti-Israel protesters, saying they prefer countries without democracy or terrorist organizations. Voting began at the Israeli embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, and will continue westward for about 30 hours, with the last polling stations expected to close in Los Angeles and San Francisco tomorrow (Friday) at 6:00 AM Israel time.