Netanyahu's Election Doubts Linked to Shin Bet Probe and Settler Violence

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is continuing his campaign to sow doubt about the election results, warning in a video that an opposition government might rely on Arab parties he described as "extremist Islamist parties supporting terrorism that seek to eliminate the State of Israel." He asserted that only a "national government" led by him could prevent this.

Netanyahu's potential loss of power is significant following the refusal of the United Torah Judaism party to recommend him to form a government. This ultra-Orthodox party, previously aligned with Netanyahu, is reportedly punishing him for failing to pass a conscription law exempting Haredim from military service.

Netanyahu is expected to reject this outcome and persist in claiming the elections were rigged, alleging that Arab parties received funds from "foreign and hostile countries" to influence votes. He is also demanding the annulment of the election results.

Concurrently, Shin Bet head David Zini has called for investigations into Arab party leaders, including Ahmad Tibi, Mansour Abbas, and Sami Abu Shehadeh, citing alleged involvement in "foreign influence campaigns" without providing evidence. He also seeks to investigate Ayman Odeh for allegedly receiving funds from the Palestinian Authority, again without presenting proof.

Zini's actions have created friction with Gali Baharav-Miara, the Legal Advisor to the Government, who refused to authorize investigations without evidence. Several former senior security and judicial officials have signed petitions condemning Zini's conduct, arguing his demands violate the law and question his suitability for his position.

Analysts suggest Zini's pursuit of these investigations aligns with Netanyahu's narrative of a "stolen election." This narrative appears to be fueling settler violence against Palestinians and the army in the West Bank, with the Israeli military attributing the escalation to the election results. Far-right activists are reportedly planning further attacks and establishing new outposts to preemptively counter any potential evacuation efforts by a new government. This situation has prompted President Yitzhak Herzog to send a letter to Defense Minister Israel Katz and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, expressing concern about settler violence and the moral and operational dilemmas faced by soldiers, warning of potential civil conflict.

The article also draws parallels between Netanyahu's past incitement against Yitzhak Rabin, which some believe contributed to Rabin's assassination, and his current rhetoric. It further discusses former US President Donald Trump's influence, noting that his support for Israel's actions in Gaza and other conflicts may have contributed to Democratic gains in US midterm elections. Trump's recent announcement to halt military aid to Israel by the end of the year, despite existing agreements, is interpreted by some Israeli analysts as a sign of Israel's deteriorating strategic standing in Washington. The article questions the potential for renewed conflict with Iran, assessing that neither Netanyahu nor Trump have achieved strategic goals, instead incurring significant strategic losses.