Israel's Election Commission Certifies Results Amid Fraud Allegations
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Israel's Central Elections Committee confirmed the parliamentary election outcome, finding no evidence of fraud, while political leaders dispute the findings and coalition talks begin.
Israel's Central Elections Committee has officially certified the results of last week’s parliamentary election, concluding that no irregularities were found that would affect the outcome. The committee reviewed 9,069 polling stations and examined each complaint individually, saying the results accurately reflect voters’ choices.
Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, who chaired the five-member presidium, cast the decisive vote to ratify the results after members of Yesh Atid and Blue and White supported the certification, while Likud and Shas abstained. Speaking at the ceremony at President Isaac Herzog’s residence, Sohlberg warned that those who cast doubt on the vote pose “a real danger” to Israel’s democracy.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies have repeatedly alleged, without presenting evidence, that Arab-led parties benefited from foreign interference. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the arrest of Arab party leaders and a freeze on the certification, claiming the election was stolen.
Law-enforcement officials said the internal security agency Shin Bet had received intelligence about possible foreign funding but had not produced concrete evidence. The agency is reportedly seeking to question four Arab politicians, though prosecutors have not received supporting proof.
President Herzog will now conduct two days of consultations with party leaders to determine which candidate is best positioned to form a governing coalition. The Netanyahu bloc secured 53 seats, Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc 48, and Arab-led parties a record 19, leaving no faction with the 61-seat majority required to govern alone. The deadlock could lead to a unity government, an alliance with Arab parties, or a new election next year.
"Israel cannot afford to let him remain prime minister," Yair Lapid wrote on X, referencing the recent U.S. congressional elections.
The certification marks the end of the legal review of the vote, and the next steps will focus on coalition negotiations.