Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The battle to form Israel’s next government has sparked a fresh row after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party claimed the election was “stolen” by Arab-led parties. The accusation follows a vote that has left neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the main opposition with enough seats to secure a parliamentary majority. Arab-led parties are projected to win a record 19 seats, potentially giving them a crucial role in coalition negotiations.
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Likud has called for a police investigation and a probe by Shin Bet, Israel‘s domestic security agency, into alleged voter fraud, intimidation and other offences. The accusations have added to the political tensions following a vote that has left
The Central Elections Committee’s preliminary results put Netanyahu’s bloc at 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, against 48 for the opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. The Arab-led Ra’am and Joint List parties are projected to win a combined 19 seats. At least 61 seats are required for a majority.
LIKUD ALLEGES WIDESPREAD FRAUD
In a statement, Likud accused the Arab-led parties of committing serious offences to mobilise voters and influence the result.
“The elections in Israel were stolen by Arab parties that support terror and the elimination of the Jewish state through serious criminal offenses of bribery, threats, violence, forgeries and the use of illegal software to mobilize voters,” the party said.
Likud said it was submitting what it described as “hundreds of testimonies” and other material to the police, the Shin Bet and the Central Elections Committee. Its allegations include claims of cash being distributed alongside Ra’am ballot slips, threats and violence against polling committee members, multiple voters entering voting booths together, double voting and discrepancies between the number of ballot envelopes and registered voters.
The party also alleged the use of prohibited software to mobilise voters. It called for a “thorough investigation” and demanded an immediate response from the election committee.
ARAB PARTIES’ HISTORIC GAINS
The allegations come after Ra’am and the Joint List recorded a strong performance. Their projected 19 seats could give them considerable influence over efforts to form a government, even as Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected cooperation with Arab-led parties.
During the campaign, Likud portrayed cooperation with Arab parties as illegitimate. Arab politicians, meanwhile, accused Netanyahu of using rhetoric against Palestinian citizens of Israel as a scare tactic to mobilise right-wing voters.
WHAT HAS THE ELECTION COMMITTEE SAID?
Israel’s Central Elections Committee (CEC) has said it is examining complaints of alleged election fraud and irregularities submitted by political parties, including a request from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party for a probe into alleged widespread wrongdoing during the vote.
In a statement, the committee said it had activated its election-integrity monitoring process, a standard procedure followed during every election. It added that complaints relating to the conduct of the vote or possible errors in the results would be assessed.
The CEC said its acting director general, Dean Livne, had informed all electoral lists about the procedure on October 25, two days before polling. Parties were invited to identify polling stations where they believed the results required further scrutiny.
“The committee received Likud’s request and is reviewing it as part of this operation,” the CEC said.
OPPOSITION SEEKS A WAY TO FORM GOVERNMENT
Opposition leaders have argued that the results offer a route to replacing Netanyahu, provided parties can overcome their differences and agree on a governing arrangement.
Democrats leader Yair Golan said the opposition should consider working with Arab representatives to form a government. He argued that the combined strength of the opposition and Arab parties could provide a parliamentary majority, while calling for a government that would represent all Israeli citizens.
Joint List chairman Yousef Jabareen also signalled that his party was prepared to help end Netanyahu’s rule, advocating what he described as an equal partnership between Jewish and Arab citizens.
“Against a government of bloodshed, against a politics of supremacy, racism, and exclusion, we offer a completely different alternative,” he posted on X.
“The change comes through Jewish-Arab partnership, a true and equal partnership. No less than that, and no more than that,” he added.
Joint List faction chairman Ahmad Tibi also indicated that the party was open to supporting an opposition-led government.
“The opposition bloc will be able to form a government if it has the courage. We are extending a hand and are ready to help,” he said in an interview with Army Radio.
Such an arrangement would face political obstacles. Several opposition leaders have ruled out joining a Netanyahu-led coalition, but the willingness of some parties to rely on Arab lawmakers for support remains a big question in the negotiations.
HERZOG URGES PARTIES TO AVOID ANOTHER ELECTION
With no clear path to a majority, President Isaac Herzog has called on political leaders to approach the coming negotiations with an open mind and make every effort to avoid another election.
“We must do everything we can, certainly after yesterday, to avoid another round of elections. So I expect everyone who comes here to come with an open mind,” Herzog said on Wednesday.
He said he expected to receive the official results next week from Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, after which he would begin consultations with representatives of the Knesset’s political factions on forming a government. The president also praised the high turnout, describing it as a “badge of honor for Israeli society” and evidence of the public’s “desire for democracy”.
The immediate challenge is whether Netanyahu or his opponents can assemble a coalition that commands enough support in parliament. The final count and negotiations could still reshape the political picture. If the parties fail to reach an agreement, Israel could face another election.
Israel’s election results remain provisional, with hundreds of thousands of special ballots still to be counted. The Central Elections Committee is expected to publish the official results by November 4, which could further shape the big picture.
With neither bloc currently holding the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset, the focus will now shift to coalition negotiations. If no side can secure enough support to form a government, Israel could be headed for another election.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
