Politics · Other · 3 hrs ago
Netanyahu allies call for probe into alleged foreign election influence
After Israel’s Tuesday election, Netanyahu’s Likud party said foreign influence had “stolen” the vote.
The allegations concern suspected funding of efforts to influence voters, including Arab voters, and Qatar has been reported as a possible source; Qatar rejects the accusations.
The claims remain partial and unconfirmed, and a police source said there was no investigative or intelligence evidence supporting them.
Central Elections Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg asked the Shin Bet security service to investigate, while saying he could not confirm the suspicions.
He asked for the findings within a week, according to a separate report.
The election left neither Netanyahu’s supporters nor his Zionist opponents with a majority, while Arab-led parties won a record number of seats.
Arab party leaders and opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot condemned the accusations, which could be used to argue against forming a government with Arab parties and replacing Netanyahu.
Israel’s Central Elections Committee chairman, Noam Sohlberg, asked the Shin Bet to investigate suspected foreign funding intended to influence Tuesday’s election.
Sohlberg said he could not confirm the suspicions but that they required a thorough investigation.
He asked the Shin Bet to use its available powers to gather evidence and report its findings within a week.
The request followed reports that Likud believed money had gone to groups seeking to mobilize Arab voters.
Israel Police said it had no evidence supporting claims that Arab parties had stolen the election.
- Who
- Noam Sohlberg, chairman of Israel’s Central Elections Committee, asked Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate.
- What
- The request concerns suspected foreign funding and improper influence on the election.
- When
- After the election held on Tuesday; Sohlberg asked for findings within a week.
- Where
- Israel.
- Why
- To establish whether foreign actors funded efforts to influence voters and to protect public confidence in the election.
Likud
Israel Police
Foreign influence
Likud
Likud reportedly believes money was sent to groups working to mobilize Arab voters.
Israel Police
Police said there was no evidence supporting claims that Arab parties stole the election.
Election allegations
Likud
Likud had prepared complaints alleging fraud and planned to challenge results in Arab-majority areas, according to media reports.
Israel Police
Police rejected Likud’s claims that Arab parties stole the election, saying there was no evidence to support them.
Hebrew media reported that Likud planned to challenge results in Arab-majority areas if Netanyahu did not win.
Israel held its election, and Shin Bet chief David Zini said the vote was proceeding well and under monitoring.
Sohlberg asked Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate suspicions of foreign funding and improper influence.
Sohlberg asked the Shin Bet to present him with the investigation’s findings.
- Election day
- Tuesday
- Investigation requested by
- Noam Sohlberg, Central Elections Committee chairman
- Asked to investigate
- Shin Bet chief David Zini
- Deadline for findings
- Within a week
- Police position
- Said there was no evidence supporting claims that Arab parties stole the election
3 sources
What people are saying
cannot attest to the substance of these suspicions
an obligation to investigate them thoroughly
I cannot confirm the validity of these suspicions, but I believe the existence of foreign entities behind them makes a thorough investigation necessary
We can confidently assure Israeli citizens that the elections are being monitored and are being conducted in a proper and impressive manner
Posts on X
We categorically deny allegations that Qatar has interfered in Israeli elections or funded any activities intended to influence their outcome. We reject the accusations made by certain Israeli politicians and their contacts in the media, who have launched yet another