Israel’s election chief seeks inquiry into foreign funding suspicions
Israel’s election committee chairman Noam Sohlberg asked the Shin Bet security service to investigate suspected foreign funding around the parliamentary election. He said he could not substantiate the suspicions and named no country. Qatar denied accusations raised by politicians, while opposition figures warned against delaying the new parliament after the election.
Geopolitics··Night
Sohlberg refers suspicions to domestic intelligence
Noam Sohlberg, the Supreme Court justice who chairs Israel’s Central Elections Committee, asked the domestic security service Shin Bet to investigate suspicions surrounding the 27 October parliamentary election. His letter went to the service’s director, David Zini. Sohlberg said he could not substantiate the suspicions of improper foreign funding, but considered a thorough inquiry necessary because foreign actors were allegedly involved. He identified no country.[1], [2]
Qatar and Ra’am reject accusations
Some Israeli political figures accused Qatar of financing activity benefiting Arab parties. Doha denied the allegations, which remain unsubstantiated. Mansour Abbas, leader of the Arab party Ra’am, denied any connection and offered cooperation with investigators. President Isaac Herzog urged that the Arab community not be collectively tainted. The allegations emerged as parties considered possible governing arrangements after the election, with no coalition yet formed.[1]
Opposition warns against delaying parliament
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot supported examining complaints while warning against political attempts to influence the new parliament’s inauguration. Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Israel Beitenu, called for a rapid investigation. Democrats leader Yair Golan accused Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to delegitimize the election results. Provisional seat figures put Netanyahu’s bloc at 53, the Jewish opposition at 48 and Arab parties at 19 in the 120-seat parliament.[1]
