Election Day begins with moment of silence at Hostages Square at 6:29 a.m.

Israel’s Election Day began with a minute of silence at Hostages Square at 6:29 a.m., the time the October 7 attack began. Families of hostages urged Israelis to vote and remember their loved ones at the ballot box.
Hagit and Ruby Chen, parents of Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, who was killed defending the Nahal Oz military base on October 7 and whose body was returned from Gaza after 760 days, delivered an emotional appeal.
“Itay will not vote today,” they said, urging voters to remember those who can no longer cast a ballot and to consider the importance of truth, accountability and preventing another disaster.
The couple called on Israelis to vote for candidates committed to establishing a state commission of inquiry into October 7, adding: “We promised Itay that we would learn the truth, and we will not give up on that promise.”