Election Committee Chair Orders Shin Bet to Probe Foreign Election Bribery Claims

The probe follows a report by Now 14 on Wednesday regarding a police complaint that millions of shekels from enemy states were used to buy votes in the Arab community. Seven suspects have been arrested in the Negev in connection with the alleged vote-buying scheme. Preliminary election results showed a dramatic surge in Arab voter turnout, reaching 80% overall and over 85% in some towns, which nearly doubled the strength of Arab parties to 19 seats and left the Knesset in a political deadlock.

The allegations have sparked a political firestorm. The Likud party labeled the affair "Ra'am-gate," claiming the elections were stolen through foreign bribery to benefit Arab parties like Ra'am. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for an immediate Shin Bet probe into Arab party leaders, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded arrests. Conversely, the Democrats Chairman accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to undermine the election results, and former election officials urged caution.

Legal experts note that while election bribery is a severe criminal offense, proven bribery does not automatically invalidate national election results. Under the Knesset Elections Law, an administrative court can only annul results or order a rerun if illegal conduct demonstrably affected the final distribution of mandates. The Shin Bet has been asked to present its initial findings within one week.