Israel's election chief demands a Shin Bet probe into 'serious suspicions' of foreign meddling as Netanyahu claims Arab parties 'stole' the vote
Benjamin Netanyahu, whose Likud party has filed witness statements and physical evidence with Israeli police alleging cash-filled envelopes containing Ra'am ballots were distributed to manipulate the vote.Arab parties surged to a projected record 18 or 19 seats, complicating any Gadi Eisenkot-led coalition that has been reluctant to depend on their backing.
Netanyahu's coalition holds 53 seats against rival Gadi Eisenkot's 48, with neither bloc reaching the 61 needed for a parliamentary majority after Tuesday's vote. Arab parties surpassed all predictions, claiming a record 19 seats and emerging as potential kingmakers — and the focus of Netanyahu's anger. Israel's president rebuked the prime minister for "tarnishing an entire community", while the Shin Bet clarified its inquiry does not mean the election's integrity was "systematically compromised."
Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of running a "coordinated, organised campaign" to delegitimise the results.
Qatar's foreign ministry called the foreign-interference claims "ridiculous and dangerous" and accused Israeli politicians of a disinformation campaign against Doha.
Iran state TV cut its live election broadcast when early results showed Netanyahu's bloc had not suffered the crushing defeat Tehran had hoped for.
