Netanyahu's Likud Floats Foreign Interference Claims After Election Leaves Bloc Short of Majority
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Israel's Likud party has advanced claims of foreign meddling and fraud after the vote left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc below a majority, while Qatar firmly denies any role.
Israel's Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has claimed that foreign interference and fraud tainted the recent parliamentary election, which left Netanyahu's bloc 8 seats short of the 61 needed for a majority. With about 90% of votes counted, projections show the bloc at 53 seats, the opposition at 48, and Arab-led parties holding 19 seats, a result that could give them a decisive role in coalition talks and further expose the country's political fracture.
Netanyahu posted on X that the elections were "stolen by Arab parties" and cited alleged criminal activities such as bribery, threats, violence, forgeries and the use of prohibited software to mobilise voters. He also raised questions about a recent visit by Arab-Israeli politician Ahmad Tibi to Qatar, amplifying claims that appear aimed at delegitimizing Arab political participation.
Israel's Central Election Commission has asked the Shin Bet security service to investigate possible foreign interference, though the commission said it has no evidence of systematic violations of election integrity. The Arab-led Joint List rejected the accusations, describing them as a blatant attempt to delegitimize the Arab vote, while Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas said his party had "no connection" to any wrongdoing.
Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al Ansari, denied the allegations, calling them "ridiculous and dangerous." President Isaac Herzog called for a full investigation and warned against stigmatizing the Arab community.
The final official results are due by 4 November, after which President Herzog will task a Knesset member with forming a government. The new Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in on 10 November, and if coalition talks fail, a new election could be called for early next year.