Netanyahu says Arab parties want ‘Islamization of Israel’ as police assure full investigation of alleged fraud in election

Israel Police on Thursday pledged to investigate any suspected offence linked to the integrity of the electoral process, as a probe into alleged foreign interference in Tuesday’s election triggered a political storm in Jerusalem and raised fresh questions over government formation.

The police announcement came after Israel’s Central Elections Committee Chair, Justice Noam Sohlberg, directed Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate allegations that foreign entities had funded efforts to influence the polls.

The investigation has prompted sharp reactions from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and key members of his Likud-led coalition, who have accused Arab parties of being linked to alleged foreign interference. Opposition bloc leader Gadi Eisenkot, meanwhile, has warned against allowing the probe to delay the inauguration of the new Knesset.

Israel police promise thorough investigation

Deputy Police Commissioner Danny Levy said the police would examine every complaint and suspicion of an offence related to the conduct of the elections.

“Every complaint received and every suspicion of an offence related to the purity of the elections will be examined and investigated thoroughly and without bias. We will not allow anyone to undermine the purity of the elections and the democratic process,” Levy said.

He added that the police would act decisively to establish the facts and ensure those involved faced justice.

“For every suspicion of an offence, the Israel Police will act resolutely to investigate the truth and bring the involved parties to justice, without exception,” he said.

The police also confirmed arrests in connection with the investigation.

Three suspects from southern Israel were arrested on the morning of Election Day on suspicion of election bribery. After the case was transferred to Lahav 433, four more men were arrested for questioning over their alleged involvement.

The four were being interrogated at the unit’s offices, police said.

Netanyahu calls probe an ‘earthquake’

Netanyahu described the allegations as an “earthquake” and urged Zionist parties to rule out any cooperation with Ra’am and the Joint List.

In a statement shared on X, the Likud leader said the allegations of foreign entities interfering in the elections and bribing voters in favour of Arab parties amounted to an unprecedented attack on Israeli democracy.

“The Ra’amgate affair is an earthquake. They stole the elections in Israel!” Netanyahu said.

He alleged that the suspected interference was intended to facilitate a foreign takeover of the Knesset, promote the “Islamisation of Israel” and overthrow right-wing rule.

Netanyahu also claimed that such a development could lead to the retreat and defeat of the Israel Defence Forces across multiple fronts, particularly in Iran.

He called for immediate action by Shin Bet and the police, insisting that no Zionist party should cooperate with Ra’am or the Joint List to form a government.

Smotrich, Ben Gvir demand action against Arab Party leaders

Finance Minister and Religious Zionism Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich called for the heads of Arab parties to be interrogated by Shin Bet.

A key figure in the Likud-led coalition, Smotrich described the allegations of foreign Islamist funding as a test for Israel.

“The suspicion of election interference with foreign Islamist money is a litmus test for the State of Israel. The heads of the Arab parties must be interrogated by the Shin Bet today. The State of Israel will not be sold to radical Islam with terrorist money,” he said.

National Security Minister and Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben Gvir went further, calling for the arrest of Arab party leaders suspected of involvement in funding allegedly linked to Qatar.

“The Shin Bet must order, already this morning, the arrest of the heads of the Arab parties suspected of involvement in Qatari money, and of all other suspects in the affair, including figures in the Muslim Brotherhood and its offshoots, insofar as there is a legal basis for their arrest,” Ben Gvir said.

Elections committee seeks findings within a week

In his letter to Shin Bet chief David Zini, Sohlberg said he had been informed of serious suspicions regarding improper foreign influence on the elections.

“Serious suspicions have been brought to my attention regarding improper influence on the elections, exerted through funding provided by foreign entities acting against Israeli interests,” he wrote, according to Israeli media.

Sohlberg said he could not independently verify the allegations but believed they required a thorough investigation because of the suspected involvement of foreign entities.

He instructed Shin Bet to use its authority to uncover evidence that could either substantiate or refute the allegations, saying the findings were necessary to maintain public trust in the electoral process.

The committee chair has asked Shin Bet to submit its findings within a week.

Government formation on a knife’s edge

Eisenkot urged authorities to investigate every complaint but cautioned against allowing political actors to use the probe to influence the timing of the new Knesset’s inauguration.

“The State of Israel must guard the purity of the elections with utmost vigilance against any attempt at interference, spin, and bias, and thoroughly investigate every complaint,” he said.

“On the other hand, it is forbidden to allow political actors to exploit the situation and influence the timing of the inauguration of the 26th Knesset,” Eisenkot added.

The investigation into alleged foreign funding linked to Arab parties could complicate efforts by the Eisenkot-led bloc to form a government with their support.

With the political fallout intensifying, government formation remains precarious. President Isaac Herzog, who will invite a candidate to form the next government, is likely to face a difficult task amid the mounting uncertainty.

(with ANI inputs)