Israel Police brace for 'January 6' scenario at Knesset after election, deploy 22,000 officers

Israel Police are preparing for potential post-election unrest, deploying 22,000 officers. A senior police official said the main concern is after exit polls are released at 10:00 p.m. on election day. The force is preparing for a scenario dubbed 'Operation Capitol,' modeled after the January 6, 2021 US Capitol storming.

One day before the elections for the 26th Knesset, the Israel Police are preparing for the possibility of clashes and public order disruptions on Election Day, particularly after exit polls are released at 10:00 p.m. A senior police official said voting day itself is expected to pass quietly, but the main concern is the period after polls close, when results could trigger sharp reactions among supporters of various parties and political blocs. About 22,000 police officers will be deployed, up from 17,000 in the previous election. A comprehensive security briefing was presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in attendance. The article details a scenario dubbed 'Operation Capitol,' modeled after the January 6, 2021 US Capitol storming, where a political group claims widespread fraud and attempts to storm the Knesset. Former police and Shin Bet officials warn that this scenario must be the top priority, and that failure to prepare would be a massive failure.