Israel Is Investigating Foreign Interference Into Its Elections. Qatar Rejected Alleged Involvement.

Deputy President of the Israeli Supreme Court and Chairman of the Central Elections Committee (CEC) Noam Sohlberg has asked Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, to investigate claims of foreign interference in Israel's Knesset (parliamentary) elections on Tuesday, it has been revealed.

"Serious suspicions have been brought to my attention regarding improper influence on the elections — exerted through funding provided by foreign entities acting against Israeli interests ... While I cannot attest to the substance of these suspicions, it is my view that — given they involve foreign entities — there is an obligation to investigate them thoroughly," Sohlberg wrote in a letter to Shin Bet Chief David Zini on Wednesday, according to the Times of Israel.

Although Sohlberg did not specify who the "foreign entities" were, some Israeli media outlets have suggested that Qatar may have attempted to influence the vote by encouraging higher voter turnout amongst Arab Israelis, who tend to vote for Arab-majority Israeli political parties.

However, in conversation with the Jerusalem Post, a CEC source warned against drawing premature conclusions about foreign interference, clarifying that the organization needed "to examine whether there was any impact and whether it affects the distribution of Knesset seats at all."

Doha also immediately refuted the allegations.

"We categorically deny allegations that Qatar has interfered in Israeli elections or funded any activities intended to influence their outcome. We reject the accusations made by certain Israeli politicians and their contacts in the media," Qatar's Spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry Dr. Majed Al Ansari posted on X on Thursday.

"They accuse Qatar of buying off Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli political left and now, in this latest campaign, the Arab vote. If these claims were to be believed, Qatar would apparently own all of Israel," the Qatari representative continued.

Nevertheless, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately used the revelation as an opportunity to attack the Arab parties, calling the affair "Ra'amgate," a reference to Ra'am, an Israeli political party with an Arab Muslim voter base.

The Israeli leader said that Sohlberg's statements amounted to "an unprecedented shock" and pointed to "an attack on democracy whose purpose is to lead to a foreign takeover of the Knesset, the Islamization of Israel, and the overthrow of right-wing rule."

"It is clear that no Zionist party should cooperate with Ra'am and the Joint List [an alliance of Arab-majority political parties]," the Israeli leader concluded.

Netanyahu's main challenger, Yashar party leader Gadi Eizenkot, also heavily implied that Qatar was involved in interference, writing on X that he "commend[s] Netanyahu for finally condemning Qatari involvement in the State of Israel."

"The Shin Bet must investigate the suspicions impartially, thoroughly, and immediately. An iron fist must be taken against anyone found to have harmed or attempted to harm the integrity of the elections," the opposition figure continued.

The elections held on Tuesday for the Israeli Knesset (parliament) have produced a political stalemate in the Middle Eastern country. With 99% of ballots counted, results show the governing coalition of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 53 seats, and the opposition coalition on 48. Neither bloc is projected to have the 61 seats needed for a majority.

However, between them, the Joint List and Ra'am are said to have won 19 seats in Tuesday's elections, which could therefore make them kingmakers in forming the next Israeli government.