Israeli leader Netanyahu accused of using ‘ugly’ smear tactics to cling to power
Summary
Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud alleged that foreign-backed vote buying and other irregularities affected Tuesday’s Israeli election, in which his coalition lost its parliamentary majority. Election officials, police and President Isaac Herzog challenged the allegations, while opposition leaders accused Netanyahu of trying to undermine the results; Qatar denied involvement.Key Facts
- With almost all votes counted, Netanyahu’s coalition had 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, the main opposition bloc had 48, and the Joint List and Ra’am together had 19.
- Neither the incumbent coalition nor the main Jewish opposition bloc won a majority, leaving the two Arab Israeli parties with the balance of power.
- Netanyahu and Likud called for the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, to investigate alleged vote buying and other irregularities in Palestinian communities in Israel.
- Acting elections committee director general Dean Livneh said there appeared to be no basis for the allegations, and police officials described them as groundless.
- President Isaac Herzog urged political leaders not to tarnish an entire community for exercising its right to vote.
- Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said Likud and Netanyahu were pursuing a campaign to delegitimise the election results.
- Qatari adviser Majed al-Ansari said Qatar categorically denied involvement in the Israeli election.
- The newly elected Knesset was due to be sworn in within 14 days of the election.
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