Otzma Yehudit Opposes Election Results Approval Amid Foreign Interference Probe

The Otzma Yehudit party intends to vote against the approval of the recent election results, while the Likud party is expected to abstain. This comes as MK Amit Halevy resigned from the Central Elections Committee in protest of the decision to approve the results before a foreign interference investigation is complete. Sources within Otzma Yehudit stated that despite requests from the Elections Committee to abstain, similar to the Likud's stance, the party decided to vote no. They cited concerns about election bias, particularly regarding Arab voter turnout and suspected foreign involvement, as reasons why the matter cannot be overlooked. The decision is made against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into alleged foreign interference in the election process and a dispute between right-wing parties and the committee chairman regarding the timing of result approval.

MK Amit Halevy announced his resignation from the Likud's representation on the Central Elections Committee, stating he could not vote against his conscience or the state's security. He argued that the election results should not be approved while suspicions of foreign intervention, which he described as having security implications, remain unexamined. Halevy emphasized that committee members are obligated to ensure election results reflect only the will of Israeli citizens, not external influences from countries like Qatar, Iran, or Turkey. He framed the issue as one of national sovereignty and the integrity of the democratic process, urging the public not to undermine free choice and Israel's status as a Jewish and democratic state. He also warned of severe consequences for the democratic system if elected officials are found to have received illegal foreign funding.

These developments follow a confrontation between the Likud and the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Noam Sohlberg. Sohlberg rejected the demand to investigate the suspicions before publishing the official results, clarifying that the committee's role is to review vote counts and mandate allocations, not to adjudicate criminal or security investigations. He reiterated that, according to Basic Law: The Knesset, election results must be published on time, and party representatives cannot prevent their publication due to an ongoing investigation. Sohlberg noted that while foreign funding suspicions are being investigated, the information presented so far does not undermine the overall election results. He also stressed that the suspicions should not be attributed to the Arab public or cast doubt on citizens who exercised their right to vote. Legally, party representatives on the committee cannot cancel or delay the publication of results; appeals must be made through the courts. Despite this, Otzma Yehudit will vote against approval, and the Likud will likely abstain, highlighting internal disagreements within the right-wing bloc. The Elections Committee is expected to finalize the official results today and submit them to the President, ahead of consultations on forming the next government.