United Torah Judaism Chairman Slams Election Bribery Allegations

United Torah Judaism Chairman MK Yaakov Asher has launched a strong attack against political elements he claims have wrongly portrayed Haredi parties as enemies, particularly in light of recent allegations of election bribery funded by hostile nations. Asher stated, "You have turned us, the loyal to the people of Israel and its Torah, into enemies, while on the other side, suspicions of vote-buying with funds from hostile countries are being exposed." He criticized the political discourse surrounding the recent elections for the 26th Knesset, highlighting a perceived contradiction between the criticism directed at the Haredi public and the revelations of vote-buying schemes within the Arab community.

Asher also took aim at the political slogan "Covenant of Servants," which advocates for a government based on parties supporting equal burden-sharing in national service. He sarcastically remarked, "You called it 'Covenant of Servants'? You probably forgot to ask whom." This comment appears to be a jab at efforts to form future political coalitions based on the issue of military service.

The current offensive by Asher follows his prior criticisms during the election campaign regarding the treatment of Haredi parties by some political actors, including parties that opposed their continued participation in the coalition. He had previously warned against the Haredi public becoming a target of political incitement, arguing that such treatment could deepen societal rifts in Israel. Asher also criticized the approach towards Arab parties, suggesting they were being considered for political cooperation while Haredi parties were sometimes deemed illegitimate for governance.

The investigation into election bribery allegations in the Arab community has intensified. The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Noam Solberg, has instructed the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, to examine suspicions of foreign funding and improper interference in the 26th Knesset elections. Solberg requested evidence within a week to support or refute these claims, as election appeal deadlines loom. The probe focuses on the possibility that foreign entities provided funds to influence voting outcomes.

The affair began on election day with the arrest of three Negev residents suspected of attempting to buy votes for the Ra'am party. Police found envelopes containing tens of thousands of shekels in cash, along with ballots, during searches of their homes. The Likud party also announced it is submitting hundreds of testimonies and evidence to law enforcement, alleging further election offenses in the Arab community, including bribery, threats, violence, and double voting. Ra'am has denied these claims, stating its activists were targeted. Reports suggest millions of shekels from hostile countries may have been used for vote-buying in the Arab community.