Arab Israeli Leader Slams Netanyahu Over Election Fraud Allegations

Sami Abu Shehadeh, chairman of the Balad party, launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party on Thursday, responding to dramatic suspicions of election bribery and foreign interference. Abu Shehadeh claimed these allegations are a "blood libel" intended to undermine the results of the 26th Knesset elections and prevent a change in government.

He asserted that the accusations are part of a "continuous incitement campaign against the Arab public," which he believes began with "illegal disqualifications of Arab lists" and escalated to "extreme right-wing activists with weapons at polling stations in Arab communities" on election day. Abu Shehadeh stated that the current allegations represent the next stage of these "dangerous accusations."

"In any proper place, the loser in an election takes responsibility and goes home. In Israel, the losing side builds a racist blood libel and calls on security agencies to act forcefully to overturn election results," Abu Shehadeh said in response to the Likud's claims. He accused Netanyahu and his allies of attempting to "prepare the ground for not recognizing the election results," calling them "dangerous people" who are building a narrative to reject the "most significant election results in decades."

Abu Shehadeh also referenced Netanyahu's ongoing criminal trial, criticizing him for inciting against "20% of the country's citizens" while facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He urged against allowing the Likud to use these suspicions to force repeat elections, stating, "You lost, go home."