by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Israel’s Central Elections Committee chairman has ordered the Shin Bet security agency to investigate allegations that foreign interests, potentially including Qatar and Turkey, funneled money into Israel to influence Tuesday’s parliamentary elections, triggering a political confrontation over the legitimacy of the vote.
Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg instructed Shin Bet Director David Zini to examine suspicions of illegal foreign financing and election bribery, following intelligence reports suggesting that overseas funds may have been used to boost voter turnout in Arab communities.
Sohlberg requested preliminary findings within one week, citing legal deadlines for challenging election results.
Israeli media reported that investigators are examining possible financial transfers originating in Qatar and Turkey, including channels allegedly associated with networks previously used to finance terrorist organizations. However, authorities have not publicly established that either government interfered in the election.
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Likud Alleges Fraud as Arab Parties Reject Accusations
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party accused Arab political parties of widespread election irregularities, including vote-buying, intimidation and fraudulent voting.
The Joint List rejected the accusations, with Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh describing them as a “racist blood libel” and accusing Netanyahu of attempting to undermine the election results.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry also categorically denied interfering in Israel’s elections.
Meanwhile, Israeli police said they had found no investigative or intelligence evidence supporting Likud’s broader allegations of widespread election fraud. The Shin Bet emphasized Thursday that its investigation was based on independently collected intelligence and cautioned against casting suspicion on an entire voting community.
The controversy comes as Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc faces difficulty securing a parliamentary majority, with Arab parties potentially holding considerable influence over the formation of Israel’s next government.
Election officials said the investigation would not delay the publication of final results or the coalition-building process.
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