There is no evidence of widespread irregularities that would call into question the outcome of the Israeli elections, the Central Election Commission clarified, while the investigation into possible illegal funding from Qatar and Turkey is expanding, with the Mossad now also involved.
The Commission’s acting director general, Dean Livne, clarified that the vote was conducted lawfully and that no systematic violations of the electoral process have been found.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The investigation concerns specific information regarding possible foreign interference and is not expected to alter the results or delay the process of forming a government.
Israeli media are reporting that the Mossad will assist the Shin Bet internal security service in examining possible involvement by foreign governments and funding channels. The suspicions involve transfers of tens of millions of shekels, with the possible aim of influencing the participation of Arab voters.
The investigation was ordered by the Chairman of the Election Commission, Judge Noam Solberg, who described the information as serious, while clarifying, however, that it has not been verified.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party claims that the Arab parties tampered with the electoral process and is calling for an investigation into possible irregularities, while rejecting the possibility of forming a government with their support.
In contrast, opposition leader Gadi Eizenkot is calling for a full investigation, warning against the political exploitation of the allegations and any delay in the swearing-in of the new Knesset.
The leader of Ra’am, Mansour Abbas, rejects any involvement by his party, declares himself ready to cooperate with the authorities, and accuses Netanyahu of incitement against Arab citizens. Both Qatar and Turkey categorically reject the allegations.
Israeli President Beitenu, Avigdor Lieberman, further complicating efforts to form a government following Tuesday’s parliamentary elections.
In a Facebook post, Lieberman made it clear that his party will not participate in a government with forces he characterizes as “supporters of terrorism,” citing statements by lawmakers from Arab parties.
““We will not sit with supporters of terrorism,” he stated emphatically, directing his criticism at Ofer Kassif and Yasser Hujirat, as well as officials from the Joint List.
Lieberman recalled that Kasif had supported South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, on charges of genocide in Gaza, and had characterized the Israeli military’s actions as terrorist.
This stance limits the possibilities of forming a governing majority with the participation or parliamentary support of Arab parties, at a time when neither of the two major political camps has a majority on its own. Israel Beiteinu won seven of the 120 seats in the Knesset.
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Source: KYPE
