Likud seeks to delay election certification over interference probe

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1. 27m ago

   Israel Election Panel Ratifies Results Despite Likud Fraud Claims

   Israel's full elections panel has officially ratified the recent Knesset election results after Likud and Shas abstained from the vote. Benjamin Netanyahu's party had sought to delay certification, claiming that Arab voters stole the election and demanding an emergency hearing over alleged foreign interference and a foreign-funded vote-buying scheme. The election commission rejected claims of voting fraud, finding no evidence that the outcome was altered. Meanwhile, a high-level dispute erupted between Shin Bet Director David Zini and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara over investigative powers and potential interrogation of Arab lawmakers.

   Why it matters

   The dispute follows Netanyahu's loss of his parliamentary majority in last week's vote, triggering a political and security firestorm over alleged foreign funding involving Arab politicians. Shin Bet began transferring election interference intelligence to a police team following days of delay. Courts have ordered the unconditional release of the last detainee in the alleged Ra'am vote-buying case after rejecting a police appeal.

   What is confirmed

   • The full elections panel ratified the Knesset election results while Likud and Shas abstained.
   • Israel's election commission stated that no fraud was found in last week's vote and rejected claims of voting fraud.
   • Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara denied Likud accusations that she is blocking the Shin Bet investigation.
   • Shin Bet began transferring intelligence on suspected foreign interference to a special police team.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Likud claimed that Arabs stole the vote and demanded an emergency hearing into alleged voter fraud and foreign interference.
   • Shin Bet Director Zini sought to interrogate Arab party senior lawmakers, a request reportedly denied or walked back by the Attorney-General.

   What to watch next

   • Further police investigations and review of transferred Shin Bet intelligence regarding foreign interference.
   • Potential legal challenges or parliamentary motions from Likud concerning the ratified election results.
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. www.timesofisrael.com — The Times of Israel | News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish ...
   2. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Saudi Arabia Turns To Iran Amid Houthi Strikes, Dealing Trump A Major Gulf Blow? - Times of India Videos
   3. www.wsws.org — Healey’s first UK budget: crumbs for workers, billions for war
   4. Politico — Israeli officials say elections will stand after Netanyahu claimed Arabs stole vote
   5. CNN — Netanyahu lost his majority in parliament. Now he claims elections were stolen
   6. The Times of Israel — Likud seeks delay in certification of election results, citing interference probe
   7. The Jerusalem Post — Shin Bet's Zini requests to interrogate Arab party senior lawmakers, Attorney-General denies
   8. The Times of Israel — Election panel ratifies results; Likud and Shas abstain
   9. South China Morning Post — Israeli election body rejects claims of Arab party fraud in blow for Netanyahu
   10. AP News — Israel’s election commission says no fraud found in last week’s vote
   11. The Times of Israel — Full elections panel ratifies results, as Sohlberg warns against rejecting voters’ choice
   12. The Jerusalem Post — Shin Bet reportedly walks back request to question Arab MKs in election probe
   confidence 95%