Likud Accuses Arab Parties of Election Fraud, Demands Investigation

The Likud party issued a statement on Wednesday, October 28, alleging that the Israeli elections were "stolen." The party accused Arab parties of bribery, intimidation, violence, and fraud, citing hundreds of pieces of evidence of violations at numerous Arab polling stations. These alleged violations include the discovery of cash and Ra'am party ballots, threats and violence against poll workers, voters casting ballots under false identities, and discrepancies between ballot counts and voter turnout. Likud also claims that prohibited voter mobilization software was used. The party further accused Arab parties of supporting terror and seeking to dismantle the Jewish state, amidst a campaign against political partnerships with Arab parties.

Likud has demanded that the police, Shin Bet, and the Central Elections Committee (CEC) thoroughly investigate the alleged violations and hold those responsible accountable. The party asserts that these actions significantly impacted the integrity and outcome of the vote, harming Israeli democracy and citizens' voting rights.

This statement comes as Arab parties are projected to win an unprecedented 19 seats, largely due to high voter turnout. Meanwhile, on October 27, 2026, Shin Bet head David Zini stated that the elections were proceeding safely and correctly under strict control, acknowledging challenges but affirming that they were being managed effectively. The CEC confirmed it is reviewing Likud's complaint as part of its standard post-election audit procedure, which examines all party appeals regarding alleged violations and errors.