Israeli Politicians React to Election Funding Probe

The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, has instructed the Shin Bet to investigate suspicions of foreign funding and election bribery by foreign entities, reportedly linked to Qatar's alleged attempts to influence Israeli elections. The Likud party dubbed the affair "Ra'amgate," calling it an "earthquake" and a "terror attack on democracy" aimed at foreign takeover of the Knesset, Islamization of Israel, and the downfall of the right-wing government, leading to the defeat of the IDF. Likud further stated that if foreign entities tried to control the Knesset, no Zionist party should cooperate with Arab parties, especially if votes were bought with foreign money.

In response, Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, confirmed he is in contact with relevant parties and receiving updates. He emphasized the need to protect election integrity from any interference and cautioned against political exploitation of the situation to delay the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset. Eisenkot also criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that Netanyahu's attempts to delay election results and delegitimize the new Knesset are unacceptable. He urged the Shin Bet to investigate the allegations immediately and with full force.

Chairman of Otzma Yehudit, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called for the immediate arrest of Arab party leaders and others suspected of involvement with Qatari funds, labeling it a "political October 27th." Bezalel Smotrich, Chairman of the Religious Zionism party, described the suspicion of foreign Islamist money influencing elections as a test for Israel and demanded the interrogation of Arab party leaders. Yaakov Asher of United Torah Judaism criticized the focus on loyalists to the Jewish people while suspicions of vote-buying with enemy state funds emerge. Shas fiercely attacked the opposition bloc, accusing them of hypocrisy and engaging in vote-buying with funds from Hamas-supporting countries.

Avigdor Lieberman, Chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, called Sohlberg's letter "dramatic and unprecedented" and urged swift action from law enforcement. MK Vladimir Belyak of the Hatnua party requested Sohlberg convene the committee to present evidence. Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democrats, accused Netanyahu of a "dirty delegitimization campaign" against the election results and the Arab public, urging a thorough investigation of any election integrity violations. Sohlberg, in his letter to Shin Bet head David Zini, noted that while he cannot attest to the nature of the suspicions, the involvement of external actors necessitates a thorough investigation to safeguard election integrity and prevent illegal activities that undermine the democratic system. He requested findings within the week due to election appeal deadlines.