Israel's election commission has found no evidence of fraud in the general election that saw Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist bloc lose its parliamentary majority, despite repeated unsubstantiated claims from Netanyahu and his supporters that Arab-led parties stole the election.
The commission said in a statement that its review found no evidence of irregularities that compromised the integrity of the election or affected its results. Elections committee acting director Dean Livne said the investigation examined every complaint "individually and thoroughly" but found no evidence to support allegations that the election results were invalid. The results "accurately reflect the choices voters made at the ballot box," Livne said.
Netanyahu's bloc fell short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, as did opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's bloc. Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats, up from 10 in the previous election. Netanyahu and his supporters have repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that these parties stole the election, possibly with foreign assistance.
A separate investigation by the Shin Bet intelligence service into allegations of foreign interference is ongoing, according to a spokesperson for the elections committee.
The results are set to be formally certified on Wednesday. Israel's President Isaac Herzog will then meet with each of the parties elected to parliament, and after two days of consultations will choose the candidate, most likely Netanyahu or Eisenkot, he believes is best positioned to form a coalition government, setting the stage for weeks of negotiations.
The deadlock between Netanyahu and Eisenkot raises the possibility of an alliance between the two rivals, or an alliance between Eisenkot and some of the Arab-led parties. If neither man can put together a government, the country will hold another election early next year.
Protesters opposed to the formation of a Jewish-Arab government rally outside Eisenkot's residence.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The commission's finding undermines claims of election fraud that have fueled political instability and public protests.
- The deadlock between Netanyahu and Eisenkot leaves Israel in political limbo, with the possibility of a unity government, a coalition with Arab-led parties, or a new election early next year.
- Arab-led parties, which won a record 19 seats, emerge as potential kingmakers in any coalition negotiations.
Background
Israel's election was one of the most consequential in decades, with Netanyahu's religious-nationalist bloc losing its majority. Neither Netanyahu nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party secured enough seats to form a government alone. The results have prompted protests and allegations of foreign interference, which remains under investigation by Shin Bet.
Key Perspectives
Elections committee acting director Dean Livne: The investigation examined every complaint "individually and thoroughly" but found no evidence to support allegations of invalid results, which "accurately reflect the choices voters made at the ballot box."
Netanyahu and his supporters: Have repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that Arab-led parties stole the election, possibly with foreign assistance.
Protesters opposed to a Jewish-Arab government: Have rallied outside Eisenkot's residence.
What to Watch
- President Herzog's consultations beginning Wednesday and his choice of candidate to form a government.
- Whether Netanyahu and Eisenkot form a unity government or one seeks an alliance with Arab-led parties.
- The outcome of the ongoing Shin Bet investigation into foreign interference allegations.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe election commission found no evidence of fraud in Israel’s general election.Just In: “No evidence of fraud in Israeli election, commission finds. Israel's election commission says it has found no evidence of fraud in the general election”
- SupportedThe results are set to be formally certified on Wednesday.Just In: “The results are set to be formally certified on Wednesday”
- SupportedThere is a deadlock between Netanyahu and Eisenkot.Just In: “The deadlock between Mr Netanyahu and Mr Eisenkot raises the possibility of an alliance between the two rivals”
- SupportedNetanyahu’s religious-nationalist bloc lost its parliamentary majority.Just In: “the general election that saw Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist bloc losing its parliamentary majority.”
- SupportedEisenkot’s bloc also failed to secure a parliamentary majority.Just In: “Opposition Leader Gadi Eisenkot's bloc also failed to secure a parliamentary majority, which is needed to form a new government.”
- SupportedThe commission said its review found no irregularities that compromised the election’s integrity or affected its results.Just In: “"The review found no evidence of irregularities that compromised the integrity of the election or affected its results," the election commission said in a statement.”
- SupportedActing director Dean Livne said the investigation examined every complaint “individually and thoroughly” and found no evidence supporting allegations that the results were invalid.Just In: “Elections committee acting director Dean Livne said the investigation examined every complaint "individually and thoroughly" but found no evidence to support allegations that the election results were invalid.”
- SupportedLivne said the results “accurately reflect the choices voters made at the ballot box.”Just In: “The results "accurately reflect the choices voters made at the ballot box," Mr Livne said.”
- SupportedArab-led parties won a record 19 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, up from 10 in the previous election.Just In: “Arab-led parties won a record 19 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, up from 10 seats in the previous election.”
- SupportedNetanyahu and his supporters have repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that Arab-led parties stole the election, possibly with foreign assistance.Just In: “Mr Netanyahu and his supporters have repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that the Arab-led parties stole the election, possibly with foreign assistance.”
- SupportedA separate Shin Bet investigation into allegations of foreign interference is ongoing, according to an elections committee spokesperson.Just In: “A separate investigation by the Shin Bet intelligence service into allegations of foreign interference is ongoing, according to a spokesperson for the elections committee.”
- SupportedAfter two days of consultations, President Isaac Herzog will choose the candidate he believes is best positioned to form a coalition government, most likely Netanyahu or Eisenkot.Just In: “Following two days of consultations, he will choose the candidate — most likely Mr Netanyahu or Mr Eisenkot — he believes is best positioned to form a coalition government”