Arad Mayor Details Alleged Vote-Buying Scheme in Arab Sector

The Mayor of Arad, Yair Maayan, has described a systematic method of vote-buying allegedly operating within the Arab sector, which he claims has been ongoing for years. Speaking to Dana Ron, Maayan explained that party representatives allegedly reach agreements with entire families, providing them with cash envelopes or pre-loaded fuel cards based on the number of eligible voters within the household. He stated that while this practice has occurred in previous elections, the scale of activity in the most recent election was "unprecedented," with participants "going for broke."

Maayan detailed that the alleged scheme involves making comprehensive arrangements with families rather than approaching individual voters. These agreements reportedly secure material compensation in exchange for votes, with the payment amount determined by the number of registered voters in each household. The compensation is allegedly delivered either as cash in envelopes or via loaded magnetic cards for fuel purchases.

These revelations come amidst an expanding police investigation into suspected election bribery within the Arab community, which began following operational activity and arrests on election day for the 26th Knesset. During this activity, envelopes containing tens of thousands of shekels in cash, along with Ra'am party ballots, were reportedly seized. Authorities are investigating the possibility that these funds were systematically distributed to voters in exchange for political support.

Further complicating the situation, military affairs correspondent Noam Amir reported that investigation materials suggest millions of shekels from enemy states may have funded vote-buying in the recent election. This report followed a formal complaint to the police and the Shin Bet demanding an investigation into the funding chain and potential foreign hostile interference. Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg, Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, has instructed the Shin Bet to thoroughly examine suspicions of foreign funding and election bribery.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich strongly condemned the allegations, calling the suspected foreign Islamist election manipulation a "test case for the State of Israel" and demanding immediate security measures, including the interrogation of Arab party leaders by the Shin Bet. He warned that "the State of Israel will not be sold to radical Islam with terror money." Meanwhile, a senior government official criticized the police's initial handling of the situation, suggesting either weak intelligence in the Arab sector or an attempt to suppress complaints about election integrity.

The Likud party announced it is submitting hundreds of testimonies and evidence to law enforcement and the Central Elections Committee, alleging serious criminal offenses during election day. These include cash envelopes distributed with Ra'am ballots, threats and violence against poll workers, illegal voting with duplicate or forged identities, and prohibited use of digital tools to encourage voters. The party demanded a thorough investigation and prosecution of all involved.