Lawmakers Demand Probe into Alleged Vote Buying by Ra'am Party
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Israeli lawmakers have called for an urgent investigation into alleged vote buying by the Ra'am party during the recent Knesset elections. They claim voters received cash in envelopes and fuel cards in exchange for votes. The lawmakers cited reports from election observers and demanded that the Shin Bet and Central Elections Committee probe the allegations. The demand follows unusually high voter turnout in Arab communities, with Ra'am projected to win six seats.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Lawmakers demand probe into alleged vote buying by Ra'am party in recent Knesset elections.
- Allegations include voters receiving cash in envelopes marked "Gift of the Islamic Movement".
- Reports also claim voters received fuel and gift cards in exchange for their votes.
- The demand follows exceptionally high voter turnout in Arab communities, estimated at 80%.
- Signatories request disqualification of Ra'am's votes and a report within 24 hours.
A group of Israeli lawmakers, including MK Yitzhak Kroizer, Minister Amichai Eliyahu, Minister Amichai Chikli, and MK Simcha Rothman, have formally requested an urgent investigation into alleged vote manipulation by the Ra'am party during the recent Knesset elections. They submitted a letter to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, and the head of the Shin Bet, General Dov Zinai, alleging that Ra'am engaged in vote buying to influence the election results.
The letter claims that on election day, three Negev residents, including a senior official from the "Siyua 48" association, were apprehended with tens of thousands of shekels in cash. These funds were reportedly found in envelopes marked "Gift of the Islamic Movement," and police reports indicate the money was intended as an improper incentive to sway election outcomes.
Furthermore, the signatories cite reports from observers and poll workers in Arab communities who allegedly witnessed voters arriving with fuel cards and gift cards received at the polling stations. Some voters reportedly stated they received these cards in exchange for voting for Ra'am. The lawmakers are demanding a thorough investigation into these allegations, examining the use of funds or benefits to influence votes, and considering the disqualification of all votes cast for the party.
The demand comes in light of exceptionally high voter turnout in the Arab sector, estimated at around 80%. With 66.3% of votes counted, Ra'am was projected to win six seats, and the Joint List 12. The letter asserts that the alleged vote buying constitutes "election theft" and raises serious questions about Israel's democratic integrity and national security, particularly given suspicions that some involved organizations may have ties to terror financing and money laundering.
The signatories have requested swift investigative actions and a report back to them within 24 hours. It is important to note that these are allegations that have been raised in the appeal, and no offenses have yet been proven, nor have the election results been determined to have been manipulated.
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