Netanyahu’s Likud alleges election fraud as Arab parties make gains
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has alleged voter fraud in Arab-majority polling stations, claiming irregularities prevented it from securing a decisive victory in Tuesday’s election. The accusations have not been substantiated, and Israeli police have reportedly said there is no evidence of election interference by Arab parties.
In a statement shared by Netanyahu on social media on Wednesday, Likud claimed there was evidence of electoral fraud at several polling stations and urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly.
The allegations came as preliminary results indicated that neither Netanyahu’s alliance nor the opposition, led by Gadi Eisenkot, had secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. The results raised the prospect of prolonged coalition negotiations to form a government.
Arab parties performed better than expected, with their combined representation reportedly rising from 10 to 19 seats as turnout among Arab voters reached a record high. Their gains could give them greater influence over government formation, although it remains uncertain whether opposition parties would form a coalition with them to remove Netanyahu from power.
During election day, Netanyahu published several appeals urging right-wing supporters to vote, warning that high Arab turnout threatened his political bloc.
The election highlighted deep divisions within Israel over Netanyahu’s leadership and his policies towards Palestinians. It also raised questions about the domestic political consequences of the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, with potential implications for Washington ahead of next week’s US midterm elections.
