"Whoever tries to harm the integrity of the elections will meet a determined police force"
Police Commissioner Danny Levy met with the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Noam Sohlberg, and his deputy, Din Livne. Senior police officers were also present at the meeting, where they discussed ways to deal with threats to disrupt election day. Sohlberg: "It is our duty to ensure that every citizen can exercise their democratic right."
The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, and the Acting Director General of the Committee, Adv. Din Livne, met today, Thursday, with the Police Commissioner, Rav-Nitzav Danny Levy, ahead of the elections for the 26th Knesset.
This meeting is part of the preparations by the Central Elections Committee and the Israel Police, aimed at optimal coordination between the two bodies ahead of the election campaign for the 26th Knesset and during election day.
The meeting was attended, among others, by the Legal Advisor to the Central Elections Committee, Adv. Yifat Simanovsky, the Head of the Investigations and Intelligence Division of the Police, Nitzav Boaz Blet, the Head of the Legal Division of the Police, Nitzav Eran Nahon, the Deputy Head of the Operations Division of the Police, Tat-Nitzav Shlomi Toledano, the Head of the Operations Department of the Police, Tat-Nitzav Merav Wagner, the Head of the Elections Administration in the Police, Tat-Nitzav Eli Pinto, the Head of the Resources Division of the Police, Tat-Nitzav Orel Avrahami, the Head of the Intelligence Division of the Police, Tat-Nitzav Oshri Abukasis, and other representatives.
During the meeting, the Israel Police's preparations for the election campaign were presented, and essential issues were discussed, including maintaining public order on election day, threats to the integrity of the elections, prohibited influence on the process, the use of artificial intelligence and technological tools to influence the electorate, online activity and threat monitoring, and intelligence and cyber aspects.
Also discussed were the tools and resources required to deal with these threats, as well as preparations for handling various incidents that could disrupt the proper conduct of election day.
It was emphasized that alongside maintaining the integrity of the elections, it is necessary to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote freely, safely, and accessibly. The Central Elections Committee and the Israel Police will act decisively to prevent any attempt to block or disrupt the path of eligible voters to the polling stations and will show zero tolerance toward any attempt to harm the freedom of voting.
Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, stated:
"The integrity of the elections is one of the cornerstones of the democratic regime, and its preservation is the joint responsibility of all bodies entrusted with the proper conduct of the process. Alongside protecting the integrity of the elections, it is our duty to ensure that every citizen has the right to exercise their democratic right, to reach the polling station, and to vote freely and safely. The upcoming election campaign presents us with new challenges, including threats in the digital space, the use of advanced technologies, and attempts to improperly influence voters. Close cooperation with the Israel Police is essential to deal with these challenges."
Acting Director General of the Central Elections Committee, Din Livne, noted:
"Preparation for elections begins long before election day, and in the current campaign, preparation for a wide range of scenarios and threats is required. We will show zero tolerance toward any attempt to block the way to the polling station, threaten voters, or prevent them from exercising their democratic right. We are placing special emphasis on emerging threats in the digital space, artificial intelligence, and attempts to influence the democratic process through new means. The cooperation between the police and the Committee is very good."
Police Commissioner, Rav-Nitzav Danny Levy, emphasized:
"I have stated more than once, and I repeat it, that whoever tries to harm the integrity of the elections or election day will meet a very determined police force that will prevent them from realizing their intention and will act to preserve democracy."
