not everywhere· Politics· Updated 11:21

Demand for Urgent Probe into Ra'am Election Bribery Allegations

On Wednesday, 28 October 2026, Israeli ministers and lawmakers demanded an urgent investigation into allegations of widespread election bribery and vote buying by the Ra'am party during the recent Knesset elections. The demand was made in a letter sent to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, and the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, also referred to as Dov Zinai.

3 newsrooms · 1 language · since 11:05

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What happened

01Israeli ministers and lawmakers demanded an urgent investigation into alleged widespread election bribery by the Ra'am party during the Knesset elections.
02The demand was sent on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, to Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Sohlberg and Shin Bet head David Zini.
03Three Negev residents, including a senior Siyua 48 official, were arrested with envelopes of cash marked "Gift from the Islamic Movement."
04Reports from observers in Arab communities indicate voters received fuel cards and gift cards in exchange for voting for Ra'am.
05Signatories including Yitzhak Kroizer, Amichai Eliyahu, Amichai Chikli, and Simcha Rothman demanded the disqualification of Ra'am's votes.
06The lawmakers linked the alleged vote-buying scheme to an exceptionally high voter turnout in Arab communities, estimated at 80%.
07The petitioning lawmakers requested that a report on the investigation be delivered within 24 hours.

The signatories, who include Otzma Yehudit officials, Interior Committee Chairman Yitzhak Kroizer, Minister Amichai Eliyahu, Minister Amichai Chikli, and Constitution Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman, are calling for the immediate disqualification or invalidation of Ra'am's votes. The demands follow the arrest of three Negev residents, including a senior official from the Siyua 48 association, who were found with tens of thousands of shekels in cash inside envelopes marked "Gift from the Islamic Movement."

According to the lawmakers, observers and poll workers in Arab communities reported that voters arrived at polling stations with fuel cards and gift cards, which some voters admitted receiving in exchange for voting for Ra'am. The lawmakers linked these allegations to an exceptionally high voter turnout in Arab communities, estimated at 80%, which has projected Ra'am to win six seats. The signatories have requested a report on the matter within 24 hours.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 15:22

Latest report: JDN. Read JDN’s original