Qatar Denies Election Meddling, Cites Israeli Disinformation Campaign

In tandem with the foreign interference probe, the Likud party submitted materials to the Central Elections Committee alleging election theft and voter bribery. Likud claimed that foreign entities bribed voters to support Arab parties, specifically targeting the United Arab List (Ra'am) and the Joint List, in an effort to control the Knesset and bring down the right-wing government. The materials submitted by Likud reportedly include recordings of individuals from the Arab community admitting to receiving fuel coupons and cash. Likud demanded that no Zionist party cooperate with Arab lists to replace the Knesset speaker or form a government.

While the Shin Bet is examining the claims of Qatari involvement and high Arab voter turnout, Qatar has vehemently denied the allegations. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari called the accusations ridiculous and dangerous disinformation spread by Israeli politicians to drag Doha into internal political disputes. Additionally, Israeli police stated they found no evidence to support Likud's claims of election theft, clarifying that the police investigation into alleged bribery involving Ra'am is distinct from the Shin Bet's foreign interference probe.