World
Israel Elections Committee Declares Investigation into Alleged Foreign Funding Won’t Affect Results
By AFP
The head of Israel’s Central Elections Committee, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, said on Sunday, November 1, 2026, that an ongoing inquiry into alleged foreign funding of the recent vote would not call into question its outcome. He noted that, so far, “suspicions remain suspicions.” The Shin Bet security agency launched the investigation last week at the elections chief’s request to determine whether the Arab Israeli party Raam received money from Qatar—a claim denied by both the Gulf state and the party.
In a video message, Sohlberg, accompanied by the head of the Shin Bet and Israel’s attorney general, assured voters that their choices would be respected and that the elections were conducted properly. He added that any irregularities are under review and that even if suspicions were confirmed, they would not undermine the integrity of the electoral process or the overall results.
Likud, which won 53 seats, said it was “puzzling” that Sohlberg could acknowledge the gravity of the allegations while insisting they would not affect the vote. The party added that until the investigation concludes, a “dark cloud” hangs over the results.
Gadi Eisenkot, the main rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, welcomed Sohlberg’s statement. He said the attempt to deny the results and undermine the public will had failed.
The October 27, 2026 vote did not give any bloc an outright majority. Netanyahu’s Likud secured 53 seats, Eisenkot’s camp 48, and the Arab groupings Raam and the Joint List combined for 19 seats. Raam chief Mansour Abbas denied foreign funding allegations, welcomed the investigation, and said his party had no connection to the affair. Qatar called the accusations “ridiculous and dangerous.”
Separately, an Israeli court released a suspect arrested on election day over a separate case of suspected vote‑buying for Raam, while extending the custody of another and placing a third under house arrest. Police had previously said three people were arrested with envelopes and cash on suspicion of trying to buy votes for Raam, which denied any involvement.
The Times of Israel quoted Judge Eran Tzabari as saying he had ordered house arrest for one suspect because of “serious suspicions,” though the case had not strengthened and had even weakened since the arrest. The judge also criticized police for not providing new evidence to support the extended detention of the suspect ordered to be released.
Netanyahu had publicised the arrests in a video on election day, saying they showed why his supporters needed to vote Likud.
Published – November 2, 2026 01:41 am IST