An investigation into suspected foreign funding aimed at influencing Israel's elections, combined with arrests linked to alleged vote-buying on behalf of the Arab Ra'am party, has triggered a fresh political row in Israel.
Police announced four additional arrests, while Ra'am has denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Likud, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has accused Turkey and Qatar of attempting to interfere in the election process.
Likud claims that individuals connected to the two countries financed organisations working to increase turnout among Arab voters. The party says it has submitted relevant material to the authorities.
However, no public evidence has been produced to substantiate claims that either Turkey or Qatar directly interfered in the election.
Reports of pre-election investigation
Israeli news website Walla reported that security services had been examining information prior to the election concerning possible money transfers through intermediaries allegedly connected to Turkey and Qatar.
According to the report, investigators are examining whether funds may have been channelled through associations and foundations within Israel's Arab community.
No evidence has yet emerged proving that such transfers took place or that voting behaviour was affected.
Shin Bet asked to investigate
The chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, has asked David Zini, head of the Shin Bet, to investigate the allegations and present findings within a week.
Sohlberg said he could neither confirm nor dismiss the claims and requested evidence capable of either substantiating or disproving them.
His letter reportedly does not identify any specific countries.
Ra'am activists among those arrested
The four newly arrested suspects are being questioned by the Lahav 433 major crimes unit as part of an investigation that had already resulted in three arrests on election day in the Negev, where many Arab Bedouin citizens live.
Ra'am acknowledged that those involved are party activists but rejected the allegations against them.
Authorities have not clarified whether the vote-buying investigation is connected to the separate inquiry into alleged foreign interference.
Political fallout
Likud has labelled the affair "Ra'amgate" and is urging Zionist parties to rule out cooperation with both Ra'am and the Joint List, either in coalition negotiations or in efforts to replace the speaker of the Knesset.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for Arab political leaders to be arrested if legal grounds exist, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded immediate questioning by Shin Bet.
Police had previously stated that they possessed no evidence supporting broader allegations that the election result had been stolen. In a subsequent statement, Police Commissioner Daniel Levi said every complaint would be examined thoroughly and impartially.
No parliamentary majority yet
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot called for a full investigation but warned against exploiting the affair politically to delay the swearing-in of the new Knesset.
As counting of special and double-envelope ballots continues, Netanyahu's bloc is reported to hold 53 seats, the opposition 48 seats, and Arab parties 19 seats, leaving no camp with an outright parliamentary majority.
Source: CNA
