United Arab List Denies Election Law Violations Amid Shin Bet Investigation
Translated & summarized from Panet by baba
The head of the United Arab List, Mansour Abbas, denied illegal campaign financing allegations leveled by the Likud party, which has dubbed the Shin Bet investigation "Ra'am-gate." Abbas accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of trying to prevent a new government's formation. The Shin Bet is investigating suspicions of foreign interference, reportedly from Qatar, in the recent elections, following a request from the Central Elections Committee president. The Likud provided recordings allegedly showing voter bribery by Arab parties.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Arab List head Mansour Abbas denied illegal campaign financing allegations and accused PM Netanyahu of obstructing government formation.
- The Shin Bet is investigating suspected foreign interference, possibly from Qatar, in Israel's elections.
- The Likud party called the investigation "Ra'am-gate" and warned against cooperation with Arab parties.
- The Central Elections Committee president requested the Shin Bet probe into alleged foreign-funded electoral bribery.
- The Likud provided recordings allegedly showing voter bribery using fuel vouchers and cash.
The head of the United Arab List, Dr. Mansour Abbas, has denied any connection between his party and illegal campaign financing, responding to a statement by the Likud party that dubbed the Shin Bet investigation into the matter "Ra'am-gate." Abbas stated that the United Arab List has no ties to any foreign or domestic funding that violates the law. He also accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to obstruct the formation of a new government with the "change bloc."
The Likud party issued a statement following a request by the President of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Solberg, to the head of the Shin Bet to investigate suspicions of electoral bribery by foreign entities. The Likud described the "Ra'am-gate" issue as an "earthquake," alleging that foreign entities bribed voters to support Arab parties, thereby "stealing" the elections. The party warned against any cooperation between Zionist parties and the United Arab List or the Joint List to replace the Knesset speaker with votes allegedly bought with cash, forming a government that poses a danger to Israel. The Likud urged the Shin Bet and police to investigate these alleged crimes.
The Shin Bet has opened an investigation into suspicions of foreign interference in the elections after its head, David Zini, conveyed "reliable information" to Judge Solberg about alleged interference by a hostile state. Hebrew media reports suggest Qatar may be involved. The investigation is based on information from the Shin Bet, as well as recordings provided by the Likud allegedly showing individuals from the Arab community admitting to bribing voters with fuel vouchers and cash.
Judge Solberg, in a letter to Zini, expressed serious concerns about undue influence on the elections through foreign funding aimed against Israeli interests. He instructed the Shin Bet chief to investigate these suspicions to maintain the integrity of the Knesset elections and prevent illegal activities that could harm the democratic system. Channel 12 reported that the investigation involves significant funding from Arab entities to illegally boost Arab voter turnout, while the Hebrew website "Walla" stated that the matter appears to be an attempt by Qatar to influence the Israeli elections, with the Elections Committee confirming the information.
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