Israel Elections: 31.5% voter turnout by 12 noon, Netanyahu urges supporters to cast their ballots

October 27, 2026

Jerusalem: Voters are witnessing tremendous enthusiasm during the parliamentary elections in Israel. According to the Central Elections Committee, voter turnout was recorded at 31.5 percent by 12 noon local time.

According to The Times of Israel, this is the highest voter turnout recorded by noon in any election since the elections held after the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Voters are casting their votes at more than 12,000 polling stations across the country.

According to preliminary election data, voter turnout was 16.7 percent by 10 am local time. This was higher than the 15.9 percent recorded by the same time in the 2022 elections.

Netanyahu Calls Election an ‘Emergency’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged voters to turn out in large numbers to vote. He described election day as an “emergency” for Likud party supporters, alleging that left-wing parties were trying to steal the election from them.

Releasing a video message on the social media platform X, Netanyahu urged supporters to stay home and encourage as many people as possible to vote.

He said, “My brothers and sisters, vote for Likud. This is an emergency, because they are trying to steal the election from us.”

Netanyahu also referred to the incident in southern Israel where envelopes full of cash were found with three senior Likud election finance officials. He called it a serious and criminal matter and said voters need to be vigilant.

He claimed that the turnout among Arab voters in the south is higher than that of Jewish voters. He also appealed to supporters to bring their family members, relatives, and neighbors to the polling stations.

Netanyahu stated that Israel’s security and the country’s political future were at stake in the elections. He urged people to vote to form a strong, right-wing government led by Likud and accused the opposition of trying to form a government with Arab parties.

Netanyahu and his wife also cast their votes

During the election, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, cast their ballots at a polling station in Jerusalem.

Earlier, Netanyahu had issued several messages on social media urging supporters to vote in large numbers. He alleged that left-wing voters were showing up in large numbers at polling stations, while right-wing supporters were relatively less active.

He wrote on X that it was time to wake up and get out to vote. He urged supporters to inspire others to vote and cast ballots in favor of Likud.

Gadi Eizenkot also appealed to voters

Netanyahu’s main rival and former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief, Gadi Eizenkot, also appealed to voters to cast their ballots on election day.

Eizenkot said that despite long lines at polling stations, people should remain patient. He said, “I know the lines are long. I urge you to be patient. Change is coming, and no one will be allowed to jeopardize this change.”

Close race expected

The final opinion polls released before voting began indicated a close race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition and the opposition parties led by former IDF chief Gadi Eizenkot’s Yashar Party.

According to the polls, if both parties stick to their election promises not to form a government with other political factions, neither side is likely to win a clear majority.

The results of the elections in Israel will play an important role in deciding which coalition will form the next government in the country.