From disturbances near polling stations to deepfakes online: How the police are preparing for election day
The Israel Police is preparing for the 2026 elections with a deployment that includes reinforcing forces in the field, a cyber unit to identify false information and deepfakes, and cooperation with the Central Elections Committee and the National Cyber Directorate. Police commanders emphasize the high public sensitivity and the need to balance securing the vote with privacy.
The Israel Police is preparing for the 26th Knesset elections, taking place in 2026, with a broad operational deployment that includes reinforcing forces in the field and a dedicated cyber unit. Commander Elad Klein, head of the Operations Division, explains that the police are operating according to a standing procedure updated about a year ago, and that on election day officers will work in 12-hour shifts. The top priority is the terror threat, followed by public order – from gatherings near polling stations to incidents in the public space. Klein assesses that the current elections are particularly sensitive given the period after October 7 and the high level of emotions among the public. Meanwhile, Deputy Commander Ariel Yifrach, head of the National Cyber Unit, points to the central threat of spreading false information and deepfakes on social networks. According to him, attempts to influence voters include impersonation messages about malfunctions at polling stations or fake videos. The police are working in cooperation with the Central Elections Committee, the National Cyber Directorate, and the State Attorney's Office, but are limited to criminal offenses only and do not deal with opinions. Yifrach calls on the public to be vigilant and check information against an authoritative source before sharing it.