Election Day washout? Thunderstorms, floods forecast for Israel

Israel's police force is preparing for a potential repeat of the January 6 events in the United States at the Knesset, following the upcoming elections for the 26th Knesset. The police are deploying 22,000 officers, an increase of 5,000 compared to the previous election, to secure major party gatherings and maintain public order.

The primary concern is that exit poll results published late at night could lead to celebrations or angry citizens taking to the streets, potentially resulting in friction and disorder. Police are also preparing for the possibility of political groups refusing to accept election results and staging protests or other disruptive actions.

The police force is preparing for this scenario by coordinating with the Shin Bet and the IDF, and conducting extensive security briefings with the Prime Minister and other officials. The importance of maintaining the independence of the police force during the election period is emphasized, with the police insisting that they must remain apolitical and free from political influence.