Bennett Slams Netanyahu Over Election Interference Claims, Links to Qatar

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has broken his silence on the "Ra'amgate" affair, which involves allegations of foreign interference in the 26th Knesset elections. Bennett expressed confidence in Shin Bet head David Zini and Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Sohlberg, urging them to swiftly complete their investigation into the suspicions.

However, Bennett sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of attempting to exploit the situation to sow chaos and undermine public trust in the democratic process. Bennett also pivoted the discussion to "Qatargate," accusing Netanyahu of a double standard regarding Qatar. "Everyone knows that for a long time I repeatedly demanded that Netanyahu declare Qatar an enemy state, and again and again he refused and chose to legitimize it instead," Bennett stated.

Bennett further alleged that Netanyahu continues to employ advisors in his office who he claims received significant funds from Qatar during the war and worked to advance its interests. "Until this moment, he continues to employ advisors in his office who have been proven to have received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Qatar during the massacre and the war and worked from his office to advance Qatar's interests," he wrote.

The former prime minister suggested that Netanyahu's current focus on alleged Qatari involvement in the elections is politically motivated. "This morning, suddenly, when it serves his interest, Netanyahu remembers Qatar and uses it to sow chaos and undermine public trust in the democratic process," Bennett attacked.

Bennett's statement follows a report by Channel 14 detailing suspicions of vote-buying within the Arab community and foreign interference in the elections. A police investigation has led to the arrest of seven suspects in the Negev, and Judge Sohlberg has requested an in-depth review of classified information he received.

Earlier, the Central Elections Committee clarified that, to its knowledge, there is no basis for claims of systematic damage to election integrity, but confirmed that sensitive classified information presented to Sohlberg raised suspicions warranting further investigation. The Likud party has demanded a comprehensive inquiry, citing hundreds of testimonies of alleged election violations. Bennett joins other party leaders, including Avigdor Lieberman who called for a deep investigation, Gadi Eisenkot who warned against political exploitation, and Yair Golan who accused Netanyahu of attempting to undermine election results.