Man with Knife Detained Near Opposition Leader as Attacks Reported on Israel Election Day

Several incidents of attacks, threats and harassment against opposition candidates and workers were reported on the day of voting in Israel's general election on Tuesday, October 27. They included a man found with a knife near Democrats Party leader Yair Golan, two party workers beaten, and the father of a killed soldier abused as a 'traitor,' according to a Times of Israel report.

The report said intense political rivalry between supporters and opponents of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had run through the campaign, and that the election-day incidents reflected that tension. Most voters, however, cast their ballots peacefully, and turnout reached a record level.

The Democrats Party alleged that during campaigning at Mesila Park in Tel Aviv, a man approached party chief Yair Golan in a threatening manner. When Golan's security guards stopped him, a large knife fell from the man's clothing to the ground. The guards detained him and called the police.

Police said a man with a knife was detained near Golan. The detainee is in his twenties and is a resident of Jerusalem. Police, however, denied the allegation that there had been an attempt to stab Golan.

Golan's security had previously been strengthened after he reported receiving death threats multiple times. Reacting to the incident, he said incitement and violence would not deter their movement.

On election day in the city of Holon, two workers at a Democrats Party campaign centre were punched. According to the party, one worker lost consciousness in the attack. Video of the incident shows a man arguing with workers near the centre and then punching two of them in the face, causing one to fall to the ground.

The Democrats Party alleged that the attacker was linked to far-right leader and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, but the report carried no confirmed police statement on that claim. The party alleged that incitement spread through political speech had led to such violence on the ground. On hearing of the attack, Golan changed his election-day schedule and went to Holon to meet the injured workers.

In another incident, Rubi Chen, father of killed Israeli-American soldier Itai Chen, was harassed. He was standing outside a polling station in Netanya with another man wearing a campaign sticker of B'Yahad, the party of former prime minister Naftali Bennett, a Netanyahu opponent. A voter repeatedly abused him as a 'traitor' and made obscene gestures. Itai Chen was killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, and his body was held in Gaza.

Moti Lightner, a politician from the ultra-Orthodox political sphere, also alleged harassment on election day. A group of youths mocked and insulted him at a bus stop. Lightner further alleged that another group of youths went near his home and threatened his children.

The right-wing party Yisrael Beiteinu said far-right activists vandalised one of its campaign centres. The party blamed Ben-Gvir's supporters for the incident, according to the report.

During the campaign, Netanyahu and his opponents traded harsh statements. Netanyahu had commented that Israel would risk destruction if he were not re-elected, while his opponents criticised the government and called for a change of power. According to the Times of Israel report, the election-day attacks and harassment illustrated the country's intense political polarisation, although the overall environment remained peaceful for most voters.