Election Results Update Amidst Foreign Funding Probe
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Israel's election results show a complex picture with Ra'am gaining a seat and the current coalition holding 53 mandates. Simultaneously, an investigation has been launched into allegations of foreign funding and vote-buying, with the Shin Bet tasked to examine suspicions of millions of dollars from enemy states influencing the vote. The Central Elections Committee chairman ordered the Shin Bet to report findings within a week, while ministers and party leaders called for a thorough investigation into election integrity.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ra'am gains a mandate to eight seats, while the Joint List drops to eleven as vote counting nears completion.
- The current coalition holds 53 mandates, while the "change bloc" has 48 mandates.
- Shin Bet head David Zinai ordered to investigate foreign funding allegations within one week.
- Millions of shekels from enemy states allegedly transferred to Israel to influence election results.
- Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf reported vote-buying allegations for Ra'am on election day.
- Shin Bet head David Zinai previously called the election system "inspiringly" safe and supervised.
As approximately 94.4% of valid votes are counted, the political landscape in Israel appears complex. Ra'am has gained a mandate, reaching eight seats, while the Joint List has dropped to eleven. The current coalition holds only 53 mandates, contrasted with 48 for the "change bloc." Likud remains the largest party with 26 mandates, followed by Yesh with 21.
Amidst these vote counts, allegations of unprecedented election bribery have surfaced. The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, has directed the head of the Shin Bet, David Zinai, to investigate suspicions of foreign funding influencing the elections, with findings expected within a week. Reports suggest millions of shekels from enemy states may have been transferred to Israel to fund vote-buying and sway the results of the 26th Knesset elections, with Qatar and Turkey mentioned as potential sources linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Shin Bet reportedly possessed this intelligence for several weeks, opting for a tactical delay to gather solid evidence of actual transactions. Once alleged offenses occurred and funds began to flow, the Shin Bet presented its findings to the Central Elections Committee. Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich called the suspected election manipulation "extremely serious" and urged a thorough investigation. Gabi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yesh Party, emphasized the need to protect election integrity from any interference.
Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf stated that his party, Otzma Yehudit, received documentation and testimonies of irregularities on election day, including claims of money being distributed in exchange for votes for Ra'am. He cited a report from Rahat alleging a sheikh and his associates were seen outside a polling station distributing money. Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner assured that the Israel Police would meticulously investigate all complaints and suspicions regarding election integrity.
This situation contrasts with statements made by Shin Bet head David Zinai on election day, who described the election system as "inspiringly" safe, proper, and supervised. The counting of votes from outer envelopes began early Thursday morning, with internal ballots being mixed to ensure voter anonymity.
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