Netanyahu cries fraud as Israel's election deadlock exposes a failing power project
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies are leveling fraud claims against Arab parties after losing their parliamentary majority, while election officials say the vote was conducted properly and the results stand.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party fell short of the 61-seat majority needed to form a government in the recent Knesset election, securing 53 seats. The opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot holds 48 seats, and with the support of Arab parties Joint List and Raam, reaches a majority of 67 seats.
Netanyahu and his right-wing allies have responded to the loss by accusing the Arab parties of bribery, foreign funding and fraud, demanding investigations and, in some statements, hinting at yet another election rather than accepting the voters' verdict. They point to a police arrest of three Raam activists on a cash-for-votes allegation and a letter from the Central Elections Committee chair to the Shin Bet chief requesting a probe into foreign funding. Far-right figures have gone further, suggesting arrests of Arab party leaders and alleging foreign influence, which Qatar denied.
Election authorities rejected the fraud claims, stating that the Central Elections Committee found no evidence of systematic irregularities and affirmed that the ballot results would be honored. The committee chair, along with the Shin Bet head and the attorney-general, issued a joint statement confirming the integrity of the vote.
Opposition leaders described Netanyahu's allegations as a naked attempt to delegitimize the election outcome and undermine the democratic process. Eisenkot called the campaign a "despicable and malicious influence operation," while Yair Golan said it reflects the behavior of a leader unwilling to accept defeat. The Joint List responded that the accusations will not erase the voters' choice.
The stalemate leaves Israel facing weeks or months of political uncertainty as parties negotiate a coalition that can command a parliamentary majority.