Right-Wing Leaders Demand Investigations into Election Funding, Eisenkot Urges Swift Knesset Swearing-In

Following a directive from Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Solberg to the head of the Shin Bet, David Zinai, to investigate suspicions of foreign funding and election bribery, a wave of political reactions has erupted. Several ministers and Knesset members have called for investigations and, in some cases, arrests and a halt to the vote count. Conversely, Gadi Eisenkot's office emphasized the need to examine the complaints while opposing any political influence on the timing of the Knesset's swearing-in ceremony.

Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman described Solberg's letter as a "dramatic and unprecedented event" and urged law enforcement to act swiftly to uncover the truth. MK Yitzhak Kroizer, Chairman of the Interior and Environmental Protection Committee, stated, "This is what the Muslim Brotherhood's election theft looks like!" Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir called for arrests if legal grounds exist, specifically targeting Arab party leaders suspected of involvement with Qatari money and other individuals linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, labeling it a "political October 27th."

Likud candidate David Peter wrote about alleged Hamas identification, fraud, foreign money, terror financing, and voter influence, stating, "Israeli sovereignty, independence, and democracy are under attack." Deputy Minister Almog Cohen demanded investigations into Knesset members and a halt to the vote count, citing suspicions of foreign money and undue influence. He specifically named Mansour Abbas, Yousef Jabareen, and Ahmed Tibi, who visited Qatar before the elections, and urged Solberg to stop the ballot count, asserting that foreign money from terror organizations should not influence Israel's democratic process. Cohen also criticized Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Golan for their silence, calling them "partners of the Muslim Brotherhood."

The Likud movement issued a statement claiming election theft and calling for an end to cooperation with Arab parties, referring to the affair as "Ra'amGate." They alleged foreign interference and bribery to benefit Arab parties, calling it an "attack on democracy" aimed at foreign control of the Knesset, the Islamization of Israel, and the downfall of the right-wing government, potentially leading to IDF defeats. The party demanded immediate action from the Shin Bet and police to investigate these "crimes." Minister Zeev Elkin echoed these concerns, calling the suspicions of illegal foreign funding from Muslim countries an unprecedented event requiring immediate investigation, including of Knesset members if necessary. He questioned the idea of forming a government with these parties.

MK Tali Gottlieb directly questioned Ahmed Tibi about his visit to Qatar before the elections. Gadi Eisenkot's office confirmed he is in contact with relevant parties and receiving updates on foreign involvement in the elections. They stressed the importance of safeguarding election integrity against interference but warned against allowing political actors to exploit the situation to influence the swearing-in date of the 26th Knesset.