Israel’s Prime Minister claims Arab parties stole the election. Israeli authorities say there's no evidence, but his accusations could make an already difficult coalition deal even harder.
I think this is a broadly fair assessment, but it overlooks a significant complication.
There is, in fact, a genuine, independently authorised investigation into possible foreign interference in Israel’s election.
On 29 October, it emerged that Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, had instructed Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate intelligence concerning suspected foreign funding intended to influence voter mobilisation, reportedly involving Qatar.
Crucially, this investigation originated from intelligence gathered by the Shin Bet itself, not allegations supplied by Netanyahu or Likud. Sohlberg considered the suspicions sufficiently serious to warrant investigation.
The Shin Bet has emphasised that its investigation is limited in scope, does not implicate Arab voters collectively, and does not undermine the legitimacy of the election results. Nor is there currently evidence establishing that any suspected interference altered the outcome.
That distinction matters enormously.
Netanyahu may well be exploiting these allegations politically, and his sweeping claims that the election was stolen are not supported by the available evidence. He deserves criticism for that.
But it does not follow that the underlying suspicions of foreign interference are fabricated or can simply be dismissed.
It is perfectly possible to condemn Netanyahu’s inflammatory rhetoric while recognising that an independent security investigation is both legitimate and necessary.
The article would have been considerably stronger had it acknowledged that distinction.
Who is the person who writes this? One or 2 points are inaccurate by omission.
For example, the issue of the inquiry commission is not whether it is needed but how and by whom it would be formed.
Also important, the trials against Bibi collapsed many months ago because they were trumped up yo get rid of him and no evidence has been discovered.
I think this is a broadly fair assessment, but it overlooks a significant complication.
There is, in fact, a genuine, independently authorised investigation into possible foreign interference in Israel’s election.
On 29 October, it emerged that Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, had instructed Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate intelligence concerning suspected foreign funding intended to influence voter mobilisation, reportedly involving Qatar.
Crucially, this investigation originated from intelligence gathered by the Shin Bet itself, not allegations supplied by Netanyahu or Likud. Sohlberg considered the suspicions sufficiently serious to warrant investigation.
The Shin Bet has emphasised that its investigation is limited in scope, does not implicate Arab voters collectively, and does not undermine the legitimacy of the election results. Nor is there currently evidence establishing that any suspected interference altered the outcome.
That distinction matters enormously.
Netanyahu may well be exploiting these allegations politically, and his sweeping claims that the election was stolen are not supported by the available evidence. He deserves criticism for that.
But it does not follow that the underlying suspicions of foreign interference are fabricated or can simply be dismissed.
It is perfectly possible to condemn Netanyahu’s inflammatory rhetoric while recognising that an independent security investigation is both legitimate and necessary.
The article would have been considerably stronger had it acknowledged that distinction.