Netanyahu's Party Claims Election 'Stolen' as Results Show Loss of Majority

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party claimed the election was 'stolen' by Arab-led parties, alleging foreign interference, as final results showed the bloc had lost its parliamentary majority.

Election officials reported that Netanyahu's party secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, down from its previous peak of 68. The main opposition party won 48 seats, with Arab-led parties capturing the remaining 19.

The election commission confirmed the count is complete but noted that results still need certification and submission to the president by next Wednesday. The commission also stated that an ongoing investigation into foreign interference is based on classified intelligence.

Netanyahu's party has been spreading claims of malfeasance by Arab-led parties since exit polls indicated a setback for him. The claims intensified after Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg mentioned 'serious suspicions' of foreign interference, though he could not verify them.

In response, Likud issued an inflammatory statement claiming the election had been 'stolen,' without evidence, and accused Qatar of attempting to 'Islamize Israel' and topple the right-wing government. Qatar denied the allegations, calling them 'ridiculous and dangerous.'

The Shin Bet security agency is investigating the claims, but it emphasized that its probe does not cast aspersions on any population that voted democratically. The election committee also warned that allegations of systematic violations of electoral integrity are baseless.

Netanyahu's main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, accused Likud of trying to delegitimize the results, suggesting the party was attempting to block potential alliances with Arab parties. Eisenkot criticized the claims of foreign interference, joking that he welcomed Netanyahu's condemnation of Qatari involvement.

If Netanyahu loses power, he would face corruption allegations and an inquiry into the security failures of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Arab-led parties could also gain influence by supporting other Netanyahu opponents in the next parliament, potentially allowing them to control the agenda and pass legislation before a new government is formed.