Voter turnout in Israel’s general election reached 55.7 percent by 4pm, the highest ever recorded at that hour, according to the Central Elections Committee.
The figure is up from 47.5 percent at the same point in the 2022 election, an increase of 8.2 percentage points.
It marks the highest turnout at 4pm since hourly records began in 1973, with polling stations remaining open until 10pm.
US-based prediction market Polymarket puts Benjamin Netanyahu’s chances of remaining Israel’s prime minister after today’s election at 27 percent.
The platform gives opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot a 58 percent chance of becoming the next prime minister.
The figures reflect betting market activity rather than official polling or election results, and could change as voting continues.
The Israeli shekel has risen more than 1.2 per cent against the US dollar, reaching its strongest level in three weeks as voting continues in Israel’s general election.
The currency was trading at 3.0419 shekels to the dollar, its highest level since 6 October, according to The Times of Israel.
The rise comes amid record voter turnout, with millions of Israelis casting their ballots throughout the day.
Former Hamas hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel have cast their ballots in Israel’s first general election since the 7 October attacks.
The couple, who were both abducted by Hamas, were pictured voting together at a polling station in Gazit, northern Israel.
“To me, voting is about freedom, responsibility and hope for the future of our country,” Keith told Jewish Insider.
“After spending 484 days in captivity in Gaza, being free and having the right to vote carries a deeper meaning for me. Freedom is not something I take for granted.”
He added: “When I vote, I am exercising a right that I deeply value and expressing my hope that our children, grandchildren and future generations will live in a country where freedom, democracy and humanity prevail.”
“Voting for the first time as an Israeli citizen is an extraordinary privilege and an enormous responsibility. Just 142 days ago, I made Aliyah, fulfilling a dream that generations of Jews could only imagine. Today, I have the privilege of helping determine the future of the Jewish state.
I have always believed that we are the luckiest Jews to have ever lived, and Israel is one of the greatest reasons why. But we are also its caretakers, responsible for ensuring that future generations inherit a strong Jewish state and a thriving Israeli democracy.
Casting my vote today was about honouring those who came before me and fulfilling my responsibility to those who will come after me. For my country, my land, and my people.”
The Arab-majority Joint List party has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of inciting against Arab voters as Israelis head to the polls.
Party leader Yousef Jabareen criticised Netanyahu’s claims that Arab voters were “trying to steal the election” and urged supporters to turn out.
“Netanyahu, you continue to incite against Arab citizens and question our legitimacy to vote and influence the political map,” Jabareen said.
The party also accused Netanyahu of sharing AI-generated images presented as genuine polling station scenes, claiming they were intended to discourage Arab voters. The allegation has not been independently verified.
Two activists from Israel’s left-wing Democrats party have been punched in the face at a campaign booth in Holon, with one reportedly losing consciousness.
Video footage shows a man approaching the booth before punching two activists, knocking one to the ground.
The party claims the attacker is linked to far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and says its leader, Yair Golan, has travelled to Holon to meet the victims.
The incident follows an earlier arrest of a knife-carrying man near Golan in Tel Aviv. The Democrats alleged an attempted stabbing, but police denied that claim.
The party blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rhetoric for fuelling violence and said it would not be intimidated.
Voter turnout in two Arab Bedouin communities has already exceeded the figures recorded across the entire 2022 election, according to Israeli journalist Amit Segal.
In Atawna, turnout reached 64 per cent, compared with 41 per cent in 2022.
Among the Kabu’a tribe, turnout stood at 47 per cent, compared with 29 per cent across the whole of the previous election.
The figures, also reported by Israeli news outlet Srugim, come amid reports of increased voter participation in Arab communities.
Israel’s Charedi Public party says it has received hundreds of reports of voter intimidation and harassment at polling stations.
Party leader Moti Leitner claimed activists had been attacked, ballot slips removed and voters threatened.
Videos also showed ultra-Orthodox youths vandalising a party campaign booth and setting election materials on fire in Modiin Illit.
Leitner called on police to take action, warning of further violence and election fraud.
As millions of Israelis head to the polls, families are making the most of election day, which is a public holiday across the country.
Many are visiting leisure spots before or after voting, while local authorities have organised activities for children.
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