Ma'arach Otef Atzurim Tells Voters to Print Emergency Numbers for Ben-Gurion

Travelers flying into Israel to cast ballots should print specific phone numbers and place them inside their passports. The Detainee Support Network, a group identified with the country's protest movement, issued this directive in messages shared across WhatsApp groups. The instructions tell voters to save the numbers of a special emergency hotline in case police detain or arrest them upon landing.

The network's message urges immediate contact if a traveler is stopped by border police or the Israel Police. It covers detentions at Ben-Gurion Airport, at polling stations on Election Day, or in the days following the vote. The text explicitly states that travelers should reach out to the organization if they are taken into custody.

A representative for the group explained the rationale behind the advice when asked why police might arrest citizens returning to vote. She stated, "Because they can. It hasn't happened in elections so far, but we want to be on the safe side." The representative suggested that authorities might act on various grounds, such as a social media post, noting that police are not happy with many people returning to the country.

The group posits that the risk stems from voters planning to support opposition parties. However, the representative acknowledged that the situation has remained calm so far. She said, "Everything has gone smoothly in recent days, and I assume it will continue to go smoothly." The network framed the advice as advance preparation rather than a response to current incidents.

The representative assured that the organization is ready for any outcome. "We've prepared for every scenario. Everything is fine. I'm sure the police will do their job properly," she said. The network continues to monitor the process while advising voters to keep the emergency numbers accessible at all times.