The recent national election left both Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot short of the 61-seat parliamentary majority, with Arab parties capturing a record 19 seats. Netanyahu has claimed without evidence that these gains involved fraud, though the Central Election Committee confirmed the election's integrity was not systematically compromised. Arab leaders like Ahmad Tibi and Mansour Abbas condemned the rhetoric as a toxic effort to overturn legitimate results. Meanwhile, police have arrested at least seven individuals in the south while investigating fraud and denied foreign intervention allegations involving Qatar.
Key points
The Central Election Committee confirmed that the overall integrity of the national elect…: The Central Election Committee confirmed that the overall integrity of the national election was not systematically compromised.
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot cannot form a governing coalition without receiving outsi…: Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot cannot form a governing coalition without receiving outside backing from the Arab factions.
Domestic security agency Shin Bet stressed that individual investigations should not unde…: Domestic security agency Shin Bet stressed that individual investigations should not undermine the democratic participation of the Arab community.
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JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged on Thursday (Oct 29), without providing evidence, that Arab parties' record gains in an election this week were driven in part by voter fraud, a charge rejected by Arab leaders who accused the premier of incitement.
The allegation represents an escalation of rhetoric against Arab parties by Netanyahu and his far-right partners after high Arab turnout in a national ballot on Tuesday effectively blocked a smooth path to power for either him or his main rivals.
Israeli officials said on Thursday that the authorities were probing fraud allegations, though the election's integrity was not systematically compromised.
Analysts and critics say that by stepping up attacks on Arab parties, Netanyahu may be trying to ensure his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, feels unable to even consider forming a minority government with Arab help that could oust him from power.
Netanyahu's goal is "delegitimising any Arab-Jewish cooperation", said Eytan Gilboa, professor of politics at Reichman University.
Tuesday's tightly fought election has produced no clear winner and is likely to be followed by weeks of protracted negotiations…
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