Beirut, Oct 31:
Israel’s opposition leaders have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to undermine the election results by alleging foreign interference, after his Likud-led coalition failed to secure a parliamentary majority.
Netanyahu’s Likud party accused Arab-led political parties of having “stolen” the election and alleged that they received illegal funding from Qatar and Turkey. Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, is investigating claims of foreign interference.
The allegations have been rejected by Qatar, whose Foreign Ministry described them as baseless and dangerous, accusing Israeli politicians of conducting a disinformation campaign against the country.
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of launching an organised campaign to delegitimise the election results. Arab-led party leaders also condemned the allegations, saying they were aimed at discrediting Arab voters and their political participation.
The final results showed that Netanyahu’s bloc secured 53 seats, while the opposition bloc won 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The two Arab party lists, the Joint List and Ra’am, together secured 19 seats, their highest-ever tally. Neither major bloc has the 61 seats required to form a government.
The strong performance of the Arab-led parties has made their support potentially decisive in efforts to form the next government. The opposition could seek their backing to replace Netanyahu, although some opposition parties have ruled out cooperation with them.
The head of Israel’s Central Elections Committee, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, referred allegations of possible foreign interference to the Shin Bet for investigation. However, the agency cautioned against drawing conclusions before its inquiry is completed.
The election results have left Israel facing difficult coalition negotiations, with the possibility of a prolonged political deadlock.