Netanyahu claims Israel's election was 'stolen' by Arab parties as election authorities ask Shin Bet to investigate
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 Likud party alleged that Arab-Israeli parties committed fraud on a massive scale, citing bribery, threats, violence, forgery and the use of prohibited software to mobilise voters — claims Israeli police say they have no evidence to support. Israel's Central Election Committee has now referred the allegations to the Shin Bet, confirming it received a package of evidence from Likud, even as Trump told Axios he would "take a look" at helping Netanyahu form a government. With around 94% of votes tallied, Netanyahu's bloc is projected to win 53 seats against 48 for rival Gadi Eisenkot's opposition, leaving Arab parties' 19 seats holding the balance of power.
Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas hit back, citing claims Netanyahu 'employs Qatari agents in his office.'
Four activists linked to the Ra'am party have already been arrested over an alleged bribery investigation.
Netanyahu's hard-right coalition has collapsed from 68 seats to 54, leaving him short of the 61 needed for a majority.
