Israel's Central Elections Committee Certifies Results Despite Fraud Claims

The Central Elections Committee (CEC) certified the results of Israel's October 27 general election on Wednesday, concluding that an extensive review found no irregularities that compromised the integrity of the vote or altered the outcome. The investigation examined protocols from 9,069 polling stations—roughly 75% of all regular stations—and processed over 3,600 inquiries and public complaints using a team of 250 public service attorneys.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the certification, describing the reports as an "earthquake for Israeli democracy." Netanyahu and the Likud party alleged that Arab-led parties stole the vote through identity fraud and vote-buying, claiming that foreign entities in Qatar and Turkey provided tens of millions of shekels to influence the results. In protest, Likud MK Amit Halevi resigned from the CEC, and both Likud and Shas abstained from the results approval.

While CEC Chairman Noam Sohlberg acknowledged "serious suspicions" regarding foreign funding, he determined these factors did not undermine the overall electoral process. The certification has sparked a conflict between the Shin Bet intelligence service and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. Shin Bet Director David Zini alleged that Baharav-Miara blocked investigations into Arab Knesset members, a claim the Attorney General defended by stating that interrogations of elected officials require a specific evidentiary basis.

President Isaac Herzog will now begin consultations with elected parties to appoint a candidate to form a coalition government, as neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot secured a parliamentary majority.