Netanyahu Aide Provided Intel on Ra'am Voter Bribery Allegations

Ido Norden, acting head of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, provided police with intelligence concerning Ra'am party activists arrested on election day, October 27, on suspicion of voter bribery. Four additional individuals were detained as part of the same investigation, reported Channel 12 on October 29. Police acknowledged at a court hearing on election day that they lacked search warrants for the suspects' homes at the time of the arrests, yet searches were still conducted. Earlier that day, police had announced a raid where they claimed to have found envelopes with money and ballots in the homes of three detainees: Ibrahim al-Garibi, Hussein Masoudin, and Sayyaf Abu-Riyash. Netanyahu and the Likud party immediately used this information to allege an attempt to steal the election. Following the election results, this rhetoric intensified, particularly amid reports of alleged Qatari funding aimed at influencing public opinion in Israel. However, the Central Election Committee stated that the suspicions under investigation do not pertain to election integrity and there are no signs of vote falsification or bribery. The exact nature of the suspicions against the detainees remains unclear, and this investigation is separate from the Qatar-related case. The four suspects, including three school principals, were placed under house arrest shortly after their initial detention. The three activists arrested on election day were to remain in custody until Sunday, with expectations of subsequent release to house arrest. Supreme Court Judge Yehiel Kasher denied Abu-Riyash's request for an appeal, citing the weight of evidence and concerns about obstructing the investigation. Police sources admit that a substantial evidence base has yet to be formed, despite the early public statements and significant public attention. The investigation is ongoing, though police were criticized for making arrests before polling stations opened without sufficient evidence. While a magistrate court initially ordered Abu-Riyash under house arrest, a district court overturned this. Judges in both instances did not criticize police conduct. A police "Lahav" unit representative unusually stated that Abu-Riyash "organizes home visits with voters to persuade people to vote for Ra'am, even though he is a doctor. And this is problematic." Al-Garibi is suspected of violating election law, with money found in his home and envelopes, green T-shirts, flags, and Ra'am ballots discovered in his car. Masoudin claims political persecution, with his lawyer stating envelopes found at his home contained symbols of the Islamic Movement and 1,000 shekels each, intended as donations to needy families. An additional 12,000 shekels found were reportedly for Masoudin's son. A relative of Abu-Riyash attributed increased Bedouin voter turnout to Minister Ben-Gvir's perceived damage to the Negev, stating Bedouins voted out of fear for their safety. A source from the Bedouin community described a practice by Arab parties, particularly Ra'am, of offering financial assistance of 200-300 shekels to impoverished residents, especially those affected by home demolitions or living in unrecognized villages. This aid is presented as charity but is requested in exchange for supporting the party at the polls. Fuel vouchers worth 100 shekels are reportedly given to those driving voters to polling stations. The source noted that some Negev residents view these actions as material aid rather than voter bribery, given the poverty and lack of basic provisions. "We learned this from Shas, which has been doing this for many years and even distributes money in synagogues. So why is there such a fuss now? Just because we are Arabs? Because we came to the polls en masse and became a powerful political force?" the source asked.