Voter turnout in Israel’s election on Tuesday hit a 53-year high as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, already the longest-serving leader in the country’s history, fights to hold on to power as he faces opposition over his handling of the wars in Gaza and Iran. Israel’s Central Elections Committee said voter turnout was at 55.7 percent…

74.3% of eligible voters cast ballots by 8 p.m., highest since 1988 at that hour; pointing to Arabs and the left, Netanyahu says 'they're trying to steal election,' while Eisenkot accuses him of trying to 'lay groundwork' to contest results

Party sources claim concern over possible voter fraud in Arab sector, say discussions have been held about contesting results in similar manner to Trump's 2020 'rigged elections' campaign

At meeting with top cop Daniel Levy and National Security Minister Ben Gvir, PM said to have raised concerns that ‘left-wing anarchists’ may taint Tuesday vote

Rights organization petitions High Court to ban polling station officials from bearing arms, due to right-wing parties' intent to deploy 2,000 activists at Arab sites

In statement ahead of vote, Daniel Levy doesn't mention controversial sit-down with Netanyahu and Ben Gvir; 7.3 million Israelis eligible to vote at 18,000 ballot boxes, says CEC

Yashar party urges Central Elections Committee, AG to nix it over worries that pols were preparing to challenge vote results; CEC okays, but says elections must be off agenda

Security agency to oversee protection for Yashar leader Eisenkot, Democrats chief Golan, and People of Israel party head Ofer Winter; man attacks Bennett's entourage in Tel Aviv