Joint List Accuses Netanyahu of Inciting Against Arab Voters

The Joint List coalition asserted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his "fascist coalition" are leading a campaign of incitement against Arab voters, revealing their fear of the political power of the Arab public. The coalition stated that this widespread and unprecedented participation in the elections served as a significant barrier to Netanyahu's bloc reaching the 61-seat threshold needed to form a new government. The Joint List issued a statement in response to the Likud party, which had claimed the elections were "stolen" after the Central Elections Committee Chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, requested the Shin Bet investigate suspicions of foreign interference.

The Joint List emphasized that questioning the votes of the Arab public is part of an organized campaign to delegitimize Arab political participation and to challenge election results unfavorable to Netanyahu. They noted this campaign began with incitement and attempts to disqualify Arab parties, continued with efforts to intimidate voters, and now involves baseless accusations. The coalition urged opposition leaders to cease echoing Netanyahu's rhetoric and to instead respect the will of the voters and work towards a genuine alternative government committed to the rights and demands of the Arab population.

Earlier, the Likud party had issued a statement calling the investigation into foreign interference, allegedly involving bribes to Arab voters, an "earthquake" and an "unprecedented shock." The party argued that such foreign influence aimed to control the Knesset, Islamize Israel, and undermine its security, particularly against Iran. The Likud called for immediate action by the Shin Bet and police to investigate these alleged crimes and stated that no Zionist party should cooperate with Arab parties in forming a government under these circumstances.

Qatar has vehemently denied any involvement in the Israeli elections or funding activities aimed at influencing their outcome. Majed Al-Ansari, Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs, dismissed the accusations as a new disinformation campaign designed to draw Qatar into Israel's internal political disputes. He highlighted the contradictory nature of the claims, suggesting they reflect an "excessive obsession" with Qatar in some Israeli political and media circles.

Judge Sohlberg had requested the Shin Bet investigation after receiving what he described as "reliable information" from Shin Bet head David Zini about suspected interference by a "hostile state." Hebrew media reports indicated that Qatar was the suspected entity. The Likud had also provided Sohlberg with recordings allegedly showing individuals from the Arab community bribing voters with fuel vouchers and cash. The investigation is reportedly based on both Likud's materials and information gathered by the Shin Bet independently. Sohlberg's letter to Zini cited "serious suspicions of undue influence on the elections through funding from foreign entities acting against Israeli interests."

Member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi responded to Netanyahu's social media post questioning his visit to Qatar, stating that the only entity that received Qatari funds, according to Israeli police, was Netanyahu's office. United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas also denied any connection to illegal campaign financing and suggested Netanyahu was trying to obstruct the formation of a new government. Some political sources, meanwhile, suggested that the issue of Qatari interference was being exaggerated and that the Central Elections Committee chairman should be more transparent with the public.