The 14:00 report · 27.10.2026
Israel's 26th Knesset election day takes center stage as senior leaders cast their ballots amid incidents reported at polling sites across the country. In business, Intel is acquiring Israeli firm Classiq in a multi-billion-dollar deal, while European markets deepen losses and the Netherlands withdraws from Eurovision.
Channel 14 Reporter Harassed During Live Broadcast Outside Haifa Polling Station
Channel 14 reporter Gal Tovi was verbally assaulted and harassed while broadcasting outside a polling station in Haifa during the Knesset elections. An individual approached her, touched the camera equipment, and disrupted the live broadcast claiming she was filming bystanders in the background, prompting a near-tearful Tovi to remark, "Every time you do this to me." Channel 14 criticized the police response to the incident. This development follows other disruptions reported earlier at polling locations, including the arrest of three Negev residents suspected of election bribery and voter tracking complaints dismissed by the Central Elections Committee. The event highlights tensions at polling sites as thousands of police officers remain deployed across the country to secure the vote and ensure press freedom.
Intel Acquires Israeli Quantum Startup Classiq in Multi-Billion-Dollar Deal
Chipmaker Intel has signed an agreement to acquire Israeli quantum computing company Classiq for an amount reported between $2.2 billion and $2.3 billion. Classiq co-founder and CEO Nir Minerbi stated that prior to the deal, the company had considered an initial public offering in New York or a merger with a SPAC. According to Minerbi, Intel envisions Classiq as the strategic and business leader of its entire quantum computing operations, and this activity will be managed from Israel. The acquisition marks a major international vote of confidence in Israeli high-tech, establishing the country as a primary development hub for next-generation computing technologies within one of the world's largest semiconductor corporations.
Netherlands Cancels Eurovision Participation for Second Consecutive Year
The Dutch public broadcaster NPO announced that the Netherlands will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year. The decision was reached following consultations with local broadcasters, which revealed insufficient backing for the move. Jet de Ranitz, chair of the NPO executive board, explained that due to sensitivities surrounding the relevant issues, taking a step back was necessary and returning now was premature. This reverses NPO's announcement last month expressing intent to compete despite Israel's participation. Although the contest will still be broadcast in the Netherlands as planned, the withdrawal underscores the deep internal debates and public pressures affecting European broadcasting institutions participating in the event.
Netanyahu and Herzog Cast Ballots in Knesset Elections, Urge Public to Vote
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog cast their votes in Jerusalem and urged citizens to take part in the elections for the 26th Knesset. Herzog stressed that "we are all equal; this is our day to go, influence, and vote," joining other political figures at polling stations, including Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot, who began the day in Ofakim. Over 7.3 million eligible voters are called to the polls, most of which will remain open until 22:00. Alongside voter turnout, commercial activity surged during the election day holiday, with credit card spending exceeding a quarter of a billion shekels in the morning. Leadership appearances at polling booths aim to stimulate turnout before television exit polls are announced.
European Shares Deepen Declines as London's FTSE Drops 1%
European stock indices deepened their losses, with London's FTSE declining by 1%. The downward trend comes as investors brace for the financial results of major technology corporations. The current downturn builds on pressure exerted earlier on the continent's financial sector, after third-quarter revenue from banking giant HSBC fell short of analyst forecasts and triggered broad declines across banking shares. This drop was further compounded by civil unrest in France, which has also weighed on regional trading. These market movements highlight European equities' vulnerability to disappointing corporate earnings, with investors adopting a cautious posture as they await earnings signals from leading technology giants.
Written automatically from the Tevel reports linked in it.