50,000 Israelis Told to Print Hotline Numbers Before Landing for Elections

The Detainee Support Network has instructed approximately 50,000 Israelis returning from abroad to cast ballots to print emergency hotline numbers and place them inside their passports. The group, known in Hebrew as Ma’arach Otef Atzurim, circulated the guidance through WhatsApp groups to prepare for possible police interference during the upcoming election.

The network’s message specifically targets travelers landing at Ben-Gurion Airport. It advises voters to contact the hotline immediately if border police or the Israel Police arrest or detain them upon landing, at polling stations, or after the election concludes. The instruction to print the numbers serves as a backup in case officers confiscate mobile devices during an arrest.

A representative for the network explained that the precaution stems from a fear that authorities may arrest citizens simply because they have the legal power to do so. She stated that while no such incidents have occurred in past elections, the group wants to remain prepared. She noted that officers might cite various reasons for detention, such as social media posts or general dissatisfaction with returning citizens.

The representative acknowledged that the concern is partly driven by suspicions that travelers might be detained for intending to vote for opposition parties. Despite this, she emphasized that operations have been smooth in recent days. She expressed confidence that police will conduct their duties properly, describing the printed numbers as a standard preparation for every possible scenario rather than a prediction of trouble.

The guidance arrived as voters prepare for the election, with the network urging a cautious approach to the logistical challenges of voting while traveling. The specific advice to keep numbers in passports addresses the vulnerability of having a phone taken into evidence or storage during a brief detention at the border.