Netanyahu Cries Foul, Cites Vote Buying Allegations
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused opponents of trying to steal the election, citing alleged vote-buying involving Ra'am associates and higher Arab voter turnout. He urged Likud supporters to vote en masse, framing the election as a choice for Israel's future. Police confirmed arrests for suspected vote-buying in southern Israel. The election campaign has been tense, with concerns about potential fraud and vote leakage impacting right-wing government formation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused opponents of attempting to steal the election.
- Netanyahu cited the arrest of three Ra'am associates with cash envelopes as evidence of vote buying.
- He urged Likud voters to turn out in large numbers, citing higher Arab sector turnout.
- Police confirmed arrests in southern Israel on suspicion of vote-buying.
- The election campaign has been marked by high tension and concerns over potential fraud.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cast his vote late on election day and immediately issued a sharp statement to the press, declaring, "They are trying to steal the election from us." He urged Likud voters to turn out in force, calling it an "emergency appeal." Netanyahu highlighted a police report detailing the arrest of three individuals associated with Ra'am, found with envelopes of cash in southern Israel, which he characterized as a criminal act. He also pointed to what he claimed were significantly higher Arab sector voter turnout rates compared to the Jewish sector, urging citizens to vote. Citing Arab party leaders like Ayman Odeh, Ahmed Tibi, and Mansour Abbas, who reportedly stated their voters were flocking to the polls, Netanyahu implored his supporters to do the same, encouraging them to mobilize all family members and neighbors. The Prime Minister framed the election as a critical choice between maintaining Israel as a Jewish state under a strong right-wing government led by Likud and its allies, or a left-wing government with Arab parties that he warned would end Israel as it is known.
Earlier, the Central District Unit had arrested three residents of Segev Shalom and Ar'ara in the Negev on suspicion of vote-buying. Cash envelopes and ballots were seized from their homes. The police stated they would act decisively and impartially to safeguard election integrity. Netanyahu's emergency call comes amid a turbulent election period, with recent reports indicating the Likud party had prepared complaints about alleged fraud in Arab polling stations even before incidents occurred. The party had considered potential issues with identifying veiled Arab women and separate voting hours in Bedouin polling stations. Meanwhile, consumer data showed high activity on election day, with 250.78 million shekels spent between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM, a 26.5% increase from the previous election. The election campaign for the 26th Knesset has been marked by high tension within the right-wing bloc, with pressures on smaller parties that might not pass the electoral threshold, and Likud warning of vote leakage that could hinder the formation of a right-wing government.
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