Israel’s Central Elections Committee has rejected allegations of electoral fraud raised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying an extensive review found no evidence of irregularities that could have compromised the integrity of the October 27 election.
President Isaac Herzog is due to formally receive the election results before beginning consultations with political parties to decide whether Netanyahu or his rival, Gadi Eisenkot, should be given the first opportunity to form a government. Neither candidate currently commands the parliamentary majority required to take power independently.
The Central Elections Committee said it had audited 9,069 polling stations following complaints and concluded that the declared results accurately reflected voters’ choices.
In a statement, the committee said all complaints submitted by political parties had been examined, with no evidence found of any attempt to undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
Netanyahu has repeatedly accused Arab-majority parties of electoral misconduct, citing the arrest of several individuals found carrying envelopes of cash on polling day. He later alleged that lawmakers had received money from Qatar, claims similar to allegations previously directed at members of his own political circle.
Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said on Tuesday that authorities would not question individuals without supporting evidence. Her remarks followed reports that the head of Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, who is considered an ally of Netanyahu, had sought to question Arab political parties.
Netanyahu’s Likud party criticised the attorney general, accusing her of obstructing an investigation and concealing what it described as serious interference by foreign actors in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Eisenkot, a former military chief seeking to unite centrist and centre-right political forces, accused Likud of launching what he called an attack on democracy.
Eisenkot had earlier warned Netanyahu against initiating another war with Iran alongside US President Donald Trump, suggesting that such a conflict could provide the prime minister with an opportunity to pursue a national unity government or delay the formation of a new administration until another election.
Former prime minister and opposition leader Yair Lapid also ruled out the possibility of a unity government under Netanyahu, citing the recent developments involving Shin Bet and the outcome of the US midterm elections, in which Democrats secured major victories over Trump’s Republicans.
Netanyahu, who has served as Israel’s prime minister intermittently for nearly two decades, has called for a broad national unity government under his leadership.
Herzog’s recent remarks have fuelled speculation that he may consult political leaders about a possible unity arrangement to restore stability in a country deeply divided after three years of war and disputes over Netanyahu’s right-wing policies.
Although Herzog’s role as head of state is largely ceremonial, he has the authority to decide which political leader receives the initial mandate to form a government.
Following the formal announcement of the election results, Herzog is expected to hold two days of consultations with political parties, beginning with smaller parliamentary groups.
Neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot has secured the 61 seats required for a majority in Israel’s 120-member parliament. Netanyahu’s political bloc holds 53 seats, compared with 48 for Eisenkot’s alliance.
Eisenkot could potentially reach the required threshold by securing the support of Arab minority parties, which collectively won 19 seats amid growing public anger over the Netanyahu government’s policies and rhetoric. However, some opposition figures remain reluctant to depend on the support of non-Jewish lawmakers to form a government.
Herzog has called for fresh political thinking and expressed his desire to prevent another election amid the continuing political deadlock.
Under Israel’s parliamentary system, the leader appointed to form a government is given 28 days to secure a coalition, with a possible extension of 14 days.
If the initial nominee fails, Herzog can assign the task to another candidate. Should that attempt also prove unsuccessful, a majority of lawmakers can nominate a candidate within 21 days. Failure to reach an agreement would result in another election.
After the previous election in November 2022, Netanyahu took 58 days to assemble a governing coalition. Israel also held five elections between 2019 and 2022 because of repeated political deadlocks.
Netanyahu is also facing corruption charges and could face imprisonment if convicted. Losing office could additionally cost him the political protections associated with his position.
Yousef Jabareen, head of the largest Arab-majority party expected to enter the next parliament, has urged opposition parties to recognise the political situation and unite to remove Netanyahu from power.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, has repeatedly warned Jewish voters that opposition parties could form an alliance with Arab political groups, which he accuses of supporting Hamas.
