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Israel polls: Netanyahu cries foul; poll chief orders probe into 'foreign hand'

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Central elections committee chair Justice Noam Sohlberg instructed the Shin Bet intelligence service to report back within a week regarding foreign interference allegations. Likud officials suspect Qatar and Turkey backed turnout campaigns targeting Arab citizens, though election officials have named no foreign states. Meanwhile, police arrested four men over suspected election-day voter bribery involving the Ra’am party, which denies the allegations.

Key points

  • Benjamin Netanyahu is using allegations of external influence to discourage opposition pa…: Benjamin Netanyahu is using allegations of external influence to discourage opposition parties from partnering with Arab factions.
  • Election officials emphasized that the foreign interference claims remain unconfirmed and…: Election officials emphasized that the foreign interference claims remain unconfirmed and require vetting to maintain public trust.
  • Ra'am confirmed that individuals detained in the bribery probe were party activists but f…: Ra'am confirmed that individuals detained in the bribery probe were party activists but firmly denied any wrongdoing.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Israel’s election chief has ordered a probe into alleged foreign interference in the October 28 election.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Arab-led parties of stealing the vote and warned of a foreign takeover of parliament.

The allegations emerged on Thursday as final results were awaited and neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition had secured a clear path to a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

Israel's central elections committee chair, Justice Noam Sohlberg, asked Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate suspicions of improper influence through foreign funding and alleged electoral bribery. Sohlberg said he could not confirm the validity of the claims but called for a thorough investigation. He asked Zini to submit findings within a week.

Poll chief orders probe into alleged foreign interference

Sohlberg directed the Shin Bet to investigate allegations that foreign entities had sought to influence the election through funding.

In his letter to Zini, he wrote, “Serious suspicions have been brought to my attention regarding improper influence on the elections — exerted through funding provided by foreign entities acting against Israeli interests.”

He added,…

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