Police Investigate Potential Election Bribery Scheme in Negev

Israeli police are investigating whether suspects in an alleged election bribery case in the Negev acted on behalf of a public figure. The development follows the seizure of envelopes containing cash and Ra'am party voting slips during an investigation into suspected vote-buying attempts on election day. Two additional suspects had their arrests extended until Sunday. One suspect, a bus driver by profession, admitted to police that he is an activist for Ra'am, the party led by Mansour Abbas. A search of his home uncovered cash, and envelopes with Arabic writing, Ra'am voting slips, shirts, and green flags were found in his vehicle. The suspect's lawyer argued that the amount of cash seized was consistent with his income as a driver. The investigation was initiated due to suspicions of vote-buying among voters in the Bedouin population in the Negev. Investigators are examining whether the funds were intended to be given to voters in exchange for votes for the party. The possibility that the suspects were acting under the direction of a public figure, rather than solely on their own initiative, is now being explored. The identity of the individual whose potential involvement is being investigated has not been released, and no findings have been reported linking Ra'am's leadership to the allegations.