Israeli police foil stabbing attempt on opposition leader Yair Golan in Tel Aviv during election tour

The incident occurred during a voter mobilization tour at Railway Park in Tel Aviv, the Democrats party, which Golan chairs, said in a statement.

The party said an unidentified man wearing a jacket approached Golan in a threatening manner before being intercepted by his security guards.

As the guards moved toward him, a large knife fell from his clothing, prompting the security team to restrain him and call police, according to the report.

Police subsequently arrested the suspect, the newspaper said.

The Democrats party said Golan’s security team prevented the man from acting and that no one was injured.

The suspect’s intentions have not been independently established, while police have yet to release details of the investigation.

Golan blamed political incitement for the incident.

“Incitement and violence will not deter us,” he said, while urging Israelis to vote in Tuesday’s elections.

The incident came as Israelis voted Tuesday in general elections for the 120-seat Knesset, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former army chief Gadi Eisenkot heading the main rival political camps.

Neither bloc is assured of securing the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority, raising the prospect of coalition negotiations after the vote.