Qatar Denies Election Interference Claims, Calls Them 'Absurd'

Qatar has vehemently denied allegations of attempting to influence Israeli election results through financial transfers, dismissing the accusations as a disinformation campaign aimed at drawing the emirate into post-election domestic disputes. The Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majid al-Ansari, stated that if the accusations were true, Qatar would effectively own all of Israel, given the scope of the claims. He urged Israeli politicians to cease blaming Qatar for their political failures and focus instead on their constituents and improving daily life.

The statement comes as the Shin Bet is investigating potential foreign interference in the elections, a probe initiated after the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee (CEC), Judge Noam Solberg, requested an examination of the evidence. The CEC, however, maintained that the elections were conducted legally and that claims of systematic irregularities are unfounded.

Solberg's request to the Shin Bet head, David Zini, was prompted by a letter detailing suspicions of foreign involvement. While Solberg acknowledged he could not judge the validity of the suspicions, he stressed the need for a thorough investigation to protect the democratic process. He asked for findings within a week, considering the legal timelines for election result appeals.

Knesset Member Vladimir Belyakov questioned the basis for the investigation, but the CEC's acting director-general, Din Livne, explained that sensitive, classified information had been presented, preventing public disclosure. Livne assured that the voting process itself was clean, citing confirmations from police and the Shin Bet.

However, sources told Ynet that the Shin Bet possessed intelligence on potential illegal money transfers before the elections but did not inform the CEC. The CEC stated they would have acted immediately had they received such information. One source questioned why the Shin Bet did not initiate action prior to the vote if the intelligence was substantial.

Separately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was briefed on the allegations by Shin Bet head Zini on October 28, 2026. The following day, Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition bloc, also met with Zini and expressed support for a swift and transparent investigation.

Meanwhile, police are investigating a separate case of voter bribery in the Negev, with seven arrests made by October 29, 2026. Envelopes containing significant sums of cash were found at some suspects' homes. The Likud party linked these two cases, alleging election theft and foreign attempts to control the Knesset and promote Islamization. Ra'am party leader Mansour Abbas denied his party's involvement and welcomed the investigation into foreign funding, while accusing Netanyahu of inciting against Arab citizens.