By Islam El-Sakka
Israel's Central Elections Committee on Wednesday confirmed the final results of the October 27 general election, rejecting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's allegations of mass voter fraud. The vote stripped Netanyahu's far-right coalition of its parliamentary majority.
Election commission dismisses fraud allegations
The committee stated that its review found no evidence of irregularities that compromised the integrity of the election or affected its results. Committee chair Noam Sohlberg said some "suspicions" remain under investigation but do not cast doubt on the election as a whole or justify delaying the results.
Attorney general blocks Shin Bet interrogations
Hours earlier, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara blocked a demand from the Shin Bet security service to interrogate senior politicians from Palestinian-led parties, saying no evidence of wrongdoing had been presented. Shin Bet chief David Zini, appointed by Netanyahu, had sought to classify the investigation as a security file, which would have allowed harsher conditions including denying the politicians legal counsel.
Opposition leader warns of democratic erosion
Netanyahu's main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, warned that the prime minister had launched a "pogrom against democracy" by discrediting valid votes and weaponizing security forces against parties led by Palestinian citizens of Israel. Eisenkot, a former military chief who lost a son in Gaza, has secured public support from all Jewish opposition parties and is expected to be tasked with forming the next government.
President Herzog condemns racist rhetoric
President Isaac Herzog, who received the official results from Sohlberg, denounced racist attacks on Palestinian citizens, who turned out to vote at historic rates. Herzog said he holds Arab society in Israel in great respect and is expected to name Eisenkot as early as Thursday evening to begin coalition negotiations.
Analysts warn of further instability
Analyst Nadav Eyal warned that the groundwork is being laid for violence and more extreme attempts to dismiss the election results. Prominent Palestinian politician Ahmad Tibi mocked Netanyahu's fraud allegations, comparing them to unfounded claims about US election interference.
