Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Israel election chief rejects claims of widespread fraud as probe continues
Israel's election chief rejected claims of widespread fraud in Tuesday's vote, saying there was no basis for allegations of systematic violations.
Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg has asked the Shin Bet to investigate possible foreign interference in the election.
The security agency says its probe is limited in scope and was not prompted by information from a political actor.
The allegations reportedly include claims that Qatar funded efforts to increase turnout in Arab communities, but the suspicions have not been verified.
The election chief said any proven interference would be unlikely to change the result and could affect individual votes only if direct evidence is found.
The two Arab-Israeli parties won 19 seats, while neither main bloc secured a majority in the Knesset.
The certified results are due to be presented to President Isaac Herzog on November 4, as scheduled.
Acting Central Elections Committee Director General Dean Livne rejected claims of widespread or systematic fraud in Tuesday’s Israeli election.
Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg asked the Shin Bet to investigate suspicions of foreign interference, including reported allegations of funding from Qatar to encourage Arab voter turnout.
The Shin Bet said its probe was limited in scope and not based on information from a political actor.
Livne said the allegations were unverified and unlikely to change the election results; any invalidation would require direct proof.
The certified results are scheduled to be presented to President Isaac Herzog on November 4.
- Who
- Acting election committee director general Dean Livne rejected fraud claims; Justice Noam Sohlberg requested the probe, which the Shin Bet is conducting.
- What
- Officials rejected claims of widespread election fraud while the Shin Bet investigates suspected foreign interference.
- When
- The election took place on Tuesday. Sohlberg requested the investigation on Thursday.
- Where
- Israel.
- Why
- Sohlberg cited suspicions of improper influence through foreign funding from entities acting against Israeli interests.
Netanyahu and Likud
Election officials and Shin Bet sources
Alleged election fraud
Netanyahu and Likud
Netanyahu and Likud alleged that the election was stolen and made claims including ballot stuffing and identity fraud.
Election officials and Shin Bet sources
Livne said there was no basis for allegations of systematic violations; committee sources called claims of a stolen election political manipulation.
Alleged foreign interference
Netanyahu and Likud
Likud described the suspicions as evidence of an attempted foreign takeover of the Knesset.
Election officials and Shin Bet sources
Sohlberg said he could not attest to the suspicions and asked for them to be investigated; the Shin Bet described its probe as limited.
Shin Bet director David Zini informed Sohlberg and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara that the agency was gathering material on possible foreign efforts to influence the election.
Israel held the election, and claims of fraud and foreign interference were raised.
Sohlberg asked Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate suspicions of foreign interference.
Livne said there was no basis for allegations of systematic violations and that any invalidation of votes would require direct proof.
The certified election results are scheduled to be presented to President Isaac Herzog.
- Election date
- Tuesday
- Probe agency
- Shin Bet
- Probe scope
- Limited and focused
- Results presentation
- November 4, to President Isaac Herzog
- Alleged funding source
- Qatar, according to reported allegations
4 sources
Israeli election bribery probe ‘limited’ and won't affect results, Shin Bet sources say
Election panel director rejects claims of widespread voter fraud; Shin Bet: Foreign interference probe is ‘limited’
Israeli election chief demands foreign interference probe as neither bloc wins majority
What people are saying
The Knesset elections were conducted lawfully. The integrity of the elections at polling stations was rigorously safeguarded, and to the best of our knowledge, there is no basis for allegations of systematic violations of election integrity.
Serious suspicions have been brought before me of improper influence on the elections through foreign funding from foreign entities operating against Israeli interests,
The Israel Police has declared that it will safeguard the integrity of the elections with the utmost vigilance — and that is exactly what it will do.
This is an attack on democracy whose purpose is to lead to a foreign takeover of the Knesset, the Islamisation of Israel, and the overthrow of right-wing rule in order to lead to retreat and defeat of the IDF in all arenas — and primarily Iran,