Likud Slams Election Chief Over Foreign Funding Probe

The Likud party has sharply criticized the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Noam Sohlberg, following his statement that suspicions of foreign funding do not undermine the election results. The party contends that the possibility of such suspicions influencing the distribution of mandates should not be dismissed before the investigation is complete.

This reaction comes after Sohlberg, along with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Shin Bet head David Zini, declared that the 26th Knesset elections were conducted properly and their results reflect the voters' will. Sohlberg acknowledged serious suspicions of foreign funding but stated that even if verified, the official position is that it would not invalidate the overall election outcomes.

The Likud party rejects this distinction, arguing that it is premature to draw conclusions while the investigation is ongoing. "It is very puzzling how Justice Sohlberg says these are very serious suspicions of foreign funding, and at the same time predetermines that they have no impact on the election results before the investigation is concluded," the party stated.

Likud pointed to a narrow margin that allegedly decided the allocation of one mandate, citing it as a reason for a comprehensive examination of the suspicions.

"We demand a swift and thorough investigation to preserve the integrity of the Knesset elections and the sovereignty of the people," the party said, concluding, "Until the investigation is concluded, a dark cloud hangs over the election results in Israel."