Israel election chief asks Shin Bet to investigate suspected foreign funding after record Arab turnout

Israel’s Central Elections Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg has asked Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate suspicions that foreign actors improperly influenced Tuesday’s election through funding and possible electoral bribery.

“Serious suspicions have been brought to my attention regarding improper influence on the elections — exerted through funding provided by foreign entities acting against Israeli interests,” Sohlberg wrote.

He asked the Shin Bet to determine whether evidence could substantiate or refute the suspicions and requested findings within a week.

The investigation comes after an unusually high turnout among Arab citizens of Israel and strong gains for Arab-led parties, which are projected to win a combined 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset.

Israeli media reported that the Shin Bet had already been examining information about possible foreign involvement before election day and that Zini later presented Sohlberg with intelligence on the matter.

Likud has separately accused Arab parties and activists of widespread electoral misconduct and has called for investigations into alleged bribery, intimidation, double voting and other violations.

The party has also raised suspicions that money linked to Qatar and Türkiye was used to increase Arab voter turnout.

Police, however, said there was no supporting evidence for Likud’s broader claim that Arab parties had “stolen” the election.

Qatar has denied involvement.

President Isaac Herzog called for the allegations to be investigated thoroughly but warned against using the inquiry to discredit the Arab community as a whole.