Right-Wing Lawmakers Demand Ra'am Votes Be Disqualified Over Bribery Allegations

Following the recent Knesset elections, a significant political and legal controversy has erupted concerning the integrity of voting within the Arab sector. A group of ministers and Knesset members from right-wing parties have sent a strongly worded letter to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, and the Head of the Shin Bet, Major General David Zini. They are demanding immediate action and an investigation into serious allegations of election result manipulation, accusing the Ra'am party and its affiliated organizations of "wholesale bribery."

The letter, drafted by Interior Committee Chairman MK Yitzhak Kroizer of the Otzma Yehudit party, includes signatures from Minister Amihai Eliyahu, Minister Amihai Chikli, Constitution Committee Chairman MK Simcha Rothman, 'Zeut' Chairman Moshe Feiglin, MK Ohad Tal, and others. The core of their complaint centers on several alleged irregularities that occurred on election day.

According to the letter, three individuals, including a senior official from the "Siyua 48" association, described as Ra'am's parent organization, were apprehended in the Negev desert carrying tens of thousands of shekels in cash. The money was found in envelopes marked "Gift of the Islamic Movement." Police reports indicate a suspicion that these funds were intended as illicit incentives for voters. The Southern District's Central Unit arrested three residents from the Bedouin towns of Segev Shalom and Ar'ara in the Negev on suspicion of involvement in vote-buying attempts, seizing envelopes with cash, notes, and other suspected evidence during searches of their homes.

Furthermore, the signatories claim that observers at polling stations in the Arab sector reported many voters arriving with "fuel cards" or "gift cards" received upon entering the polling station. Some voters reportedly stated these cards were given in exchange for voting for the Ra'am party.

The right-wing lawmakers argue that the "most blatant proof" of election fraud lies in the unusual voting data. Voter turnout in the Arab sector surged to 80%, a dramatic increase from 53.2% in the previous election and 44.6% in 2021. The letter highlights that the all-time record for the sector over the past 25 years was only 64.8%. They assert that these "extraordinary voting volumes" did not happen spontaneously and lack statistical logic.

The letter also references past allegations linking the "Siyua 48" association to Hamas, noting that in July 2025, the Registrar of Associations had recommended dissolving the organization due to its transfer of funds to terror organizations and handling millions of shekels in cash without oversight.

In light of these accusations, the signatories are making far-reaching demands. Primarily, they request the wholesale disqualification of all votes cast for the Ra'am party and to prevent its representatives from entering the Knesset until the extent of the "fraud" is clarified. They also demand the immediate physical interrogation of all Ra'am representatives and affiliated association activists, and an official public clarification regarding the bribery affair and its impact on the distribution of mandates. The letter concludes by stating, "We will not allow this serious affair to be ignored or dismissed," and gives authorities 24 hours to report on the initiation of investigative actions. Ra'am has not yet responded to the serious accusations.