Jakarta, ThedailyID — Israel’s October 27 general election ended without a clear majority winner, leaving the country facing continued political uncertainty.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc secured 53 seats, while the bloc led by opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot won 48 seats. Arab parties collectively gained 19 seats, with the Joint List securing 11 and Ra’am winning eight.
The strong performance by Arab parties has drawn attention amid allegations of foreign funding. Israel’s Shin Bet security agency launched an investigation into claims that Ra’am received money from Qatar, accusations denied by both the party and the Gulf state.
Netanyahu and his Likud party have accused Arab groups of “stealing” the election following their unprecedented gains, which could give them a key role in forming a future opposition-led government.
However, Central Elections Committee chairman and Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg said the ongoing investigation would not undermine the overall election results.
“The 26th Knesset election was conducted properly. If there were any irregularities, they are currently being reviewed,” Sohlberg said, as quoted by Arab News.
He stressed that the investigation was still ongoing and that “suspicions remain suspicions.”
“We will examine them thoroughly and get to the root of the matter to uncover the full truth,” he added.
“Even if the suspicions are ultimately confirmed, our position is that this would not call into question the integrity of the electoral process or the overall election results.”
Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas denied the allegations and said his party had “absolutely no connection to the matter.” He also welcomed the investigation.
Qatar also rejected the accusations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari described the claims as “ridiculous and dangerous.”
“They accuse Qatar of bribing Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli left, and now, in this latest campaign, the votes of the Arab public. These accusations are both ridiculous and dangerous,” Al Ansari said, as reported by AFP on Friday, October 30.
