Politics1 min read

Netanyahu says 'serious suspicions' of foreign interference in vote

By · Via Middle East Eye · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Netanyahu announced that substantial outside funds were allegedly deployed to sway the recent balloting and insisted democratic integrity requires a swift investigation. In response, the head of the national elections committee authorized the internal security service to begin an unhindered probe into the matter. Meanwhile, Netanyahu cautioned against extremist Islamic influence while President Isaac Herzog kicked off formal negotiations to determine the next ruling coalition.

Key points

  • Security agencies have been mobilized to examine whether foreign financial backing altere…: Security agencies have been mobilized to examine whether foreign financial backing altered the election outcome.
  • The prime minister is actively working to deter political rivals from building a minority…: The prime minister is actively working to deter political rivals from building a minority coalition supported by Islamist factions.
  • Accusations of external interference complicate the ongoing consultations to establish a…: Accusations of external interference complicate the ongoing consultations to establish a stable governing coalition in Israel.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that there are "serious suspicions" of foriegn interference in the Israeli elections after his Likud party suffered resounding defeats in the recent vote.

"There are serious suspicions that foreign states have spent considerable sums to influence the outcome of the elections in Israel," Netanyahu said in a video posted on social media.

He blamed "extremist Islam" for "tearing apart countries in Europe", adding that this "challenge" cannot be confronted by "a government dependent on extremist Islam and these Islamist parties, which deny the very existence of a Jewish state".

This comes as Israel's President Isaac Herzog begins consultations with party leaders to form the next government.

אזרחי ישראל היקרים, האסלאם הקיצוני הוא האתגר שמפרק היום מדינות באירופה. זהו האתגר שמאיים גם עלינו. הוא מאיים מבחוץ על ידי איראן וגרורותיה, ומבית על ידי מפלגות אסלאמיסטיות של תומכי טרור. הם חותרים למחוק את הזהות היהודית של מדינת ישראל. הם אומרים זאת בגלוי. הם חותרים למנוע מאיתנו את היכולת להגן על עצמנו מפני אויבינו. ואני שואל שאלה פשוטה: מי יוכל להתמודד עם האתגר הזה? מי…

Politics