Israel's election chief rebukes Netanyahu's 'stolen' election claims as he and Gadi Eisenkot battle for first shot at power

Israel's Central Elections Committee chairman publicly rebuked Benjamin Netanyahu, rejecting his claims that the vote was 'stolen' and insisting the results were valid. Netanyahu's Likud and rival Gadi Eisenkot's party are now both lobbying Israeli President for the first chance to form a governing coalition.

The president must decide which leader gets the first mandate to attempt coalition-building, with neither bloc commanding an outright majority.

Netanyahu's fraud allegations have drawn sharp pushback from election officials, with Washington Times calling for a full investigation into the claims.

Eisenkot, the former IDF chief, is positioning himself as a unity-government alternative capable of attracting centrist and Arab parties.