Netanyahu slammed Arab parties on Tuesday, claiming they stole the election as 85% of ballots were counted and his bloc hovered at 53 seats. The accusation followed a wave of reports that the parties had used cash and illicit software to boost turnout.
Likud’s statement cited "thousands of envelopes filled with cash and Raam ballots," as well as threats and violence against polling officials. The party said it had collected evidence, including 24,000 shekels in cash seized from three suspects arrested overnight.
Dean Livne, director‑general of the Central Elections Committee, called the incidents "unusual" and confirmed the arrests. He said the cases were isolated and under investigation, adding that police had intercepted bribery attempts before voters even reached the polls.
This move comes after Netanyahu’s right‑wing bloc failed to secure an outright majority of 61 seats in the 120‑member Knesset. With Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition at 48 seats, the Likud bloc is left negotiating a coalition.
A voter in Tel Aviv, who had turned out early after hearing the accusations, said the news "made him feel uneasy," noting that the turnout in his district was higher than last year.
Likud will forward the testimony and evidence to the committee by Friday, while Prime Minister Netanyahu has asked the Knesset to debate a vote of confidence in a new government on Friday evening. The outcome will determine whether a coalition can be formed before the next election deadline.