Netanyahu Denounces ‘Stolen’ Election as Arab Parties Surge in Israeli Knesset Votes
Netanyahu's party claims Arab-led parties stole the election amid foreign interference allegations, as results show a loss of majority in Israel's Knesset.
POLICY WIRE — Jerusalem, Israel — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party has intensified accusations that the recent Israeli election was ‘stolen’ by Arab-led parties, possibly with foreign assistance, as final results revealed a significant loss of their majority in the Knesset.
The opposition has vehemently condemned these claims, accusing Netanyahu of attempting to delegitimize the election results in the wake of a historic showing by Arab-led parties. If the opposition aligns with these parties, a rare and potentially risky move, they could form a majority government.
Final election results, released early Friday, showed Netanyahu’s bloc securing 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, a substantial drop from the 68 seats they held in the previous parliament. The main opposition won 48 seats, while Arab-led parties secured 19.
The election commission, led by Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, has received serious allegations of foreign interference, although these claims remain unverified. Sohlberg requested the Shin Bet security agency to investigate the matter, emphasizing that the investigation does not affect the final certified results.
Netanyahu’s Likud party issued a inflammatory statement, asserting without evidence that the alleged interference was aimed at a ‘foreign takeover’ of the Knesset, ‘Islamization of Israel,’ and the ‘toppling of the right-wing government.’ Israeli media reported that Likud members were specifically accusing Qatar, a country often viewed as a patron of Hamas, of involvement. Qatar swiftly denied these allegations, calling them ‘ridiculous and dangerous.’
Netanyahu’s main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, criticized Likud’s efforts to delegitimize the results, stating, ‘They are doing this because they lost.’ Eisenkot sarcastically welcomed Netanyahu’s condemnation of Qatari involvement, further ridiculing the allegations.
The Shin Bet reassured the public that its investigation was not intended to cast doubt on the democratic process, noting that the election was conducted fairly and lawfully. The elections committee also stressed that while an investigation is underway, there is no evidence of systematic electoral violations.
Despite the political turmoil, Netanyahu remains in office until a new government is formed. If he loses power, he may face long-standing corruption allegations and an inquiry into security failures related to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
Arab-led parties could play a crucial role in forming a new government by supporting other Netanyahu opponents. Ahmad Tibi, a key figure in the Arab-led Joint List, indicated that the party is open to discussions about forming a coalition or supporting a new Knesset speaker.
Small rallies in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have shown support for a coalition that includes Arab parties, a move that has not been attempted since 2021. If a new government cannot be formed, Israel may face new elections early next year.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
