Arab Parties Face Rising Pressure as Netanyahu Fights for Power
Netanyahu’s bloc accuses Arab leaders of foreign funding without proof, while President Herzog urges calm and a fair investigation.
Israel – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Arab parties are under heavy pressure in Israel after Tuesday’s election failed to give any side a clear win. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc says Arab leaders took foreign money. No proof has been shown so far.
President Isaac Herzog asked for an investigation into the fraud claims. He also warned people not to blame the whole Arab community. Arab citizens voted in record numbers this time.
With almost 93 per cent of votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc has 53 seats. The opposition, led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, has 48. Both are far below the 61 seats needed to form a government.
The two main Arab parties are on track to win 19 seats together. That is a record. Their votes could decide who rules, which is why the fight has become so tense.
Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, who heads the Central Election Commission, asked the Shin Bet to check claims that the Raam party got money from Qatar. Netanyahu’s Likud party called it a political earthquake and said the election was stolen.
Raam leader Mansour Abbas said he welcomes an investigation. He said his party has no connection to the claims.
Qatar also denied the story. Its foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al Ansari, called the accusations ridiculous and dangerous.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the arrest of Arab party leaders right away. Opposition figure Yair Golan said Netanyahu is trying to attack the result after failing to win a majority.
Police arrested three suspects, but the election commission said it was a small local case. Eisenkot promised to stay alert against election interference. He also said no one should use the issue to delay the new Knesset.
A possible attack on Iran may also shape the next government. Eisenkot has ruled out joining an emergency unity government. President Herzog will pick who gets the first chance to form a government once official results are out.
Separately, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he hopes peace talks can restart after the new Israeli government is formed.
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