Netanyahu's Likud claims election ‘stolen’ by Arab parties, demands investigation into alleged fraud
Likud said it submitted hundreds of testimonies and evidence, while police arrested three suspects and seized more than 24,000 shekels in cash.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party accused Arab political factions on Wednesday of stealing parliamentary elections, demanding immediate investigations by police and domestic intelligence authorities into alleged bribery and ballot fraud.
- Arab voter turnout surged, helping the Joint List and Raam secure a projected 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset, complicating coalition formation since neither Netanyahu's right-wing bloc nor rival Gadi Eisenkot's coalition reached the 61-seat majority threshold.
- While Likud alleged "thousands of envelopes with cash and Raam ballots," authorities confirmed arresting three suspects with around $7,900 in cash overnight on suspicion of isolated voter bribery, per Acting Central Elections Committee director general Dean Livne.
- Raam leader Mansour Abbas rejected the allegations as "lying and inciting against" his party to mobilize right-wing voters, while Likud described the purported misconduct as a "grave assault on Israeli democracy" and citizens' voting rights.
- Earlier today, the Acting Central Elections Committee dismissed fraud claims, as political deadlock persists with neither Arab parties nor their rivals committing to supporting a government despite their potentially decisive parliamentary role.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Netanyahu Alleges Arab Political Parties Defrauded Israeli Election
A road sign stands in front of a large billboard featuring Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) of the Likud party and former military chief and Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot (L), in Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv, on Oct. 20, 2026. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)
Netanyahu says Arabs stole Israeli election, demands investigation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said rival Arab parties cheated in his country’s elections after exit polls indicated his coalition failed to capture a majority in the Knesset, pushing the Middle Eastern democracy into a political deadlock. Netanyahu’s Likud party and its allies outperformed expectations on Tuesday. But with results still trickling in […]
Stranka Likud zraelskog Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahua u srijedu je optužila arapske stranke za izbornu prevaru. "Izbore u Državi Izrael pokrale su arapske stranke koje podržavaju terorizam i uništenje židovske države", stoji u priopćenju stranke Likud dan nakon izbora [...] Objava Likud optužuje arapske stranke da su “pokrale” izbore u Israelu pojavila se prvi puta na Novi list.
Likud demands an official investigation to clarify alleged irregularities
As Netanyahu falls short of majority, his party claims polls 'stolen' by Arab parties
Likud alleged that Arab-led parties stole Israel's election and demanded investigations into purported offences. The inconclusive result gives Arab lawmakers a potentially decisive role in coalition negotiations.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
