Israel election commission rejects Netanyahu charges of fraud

Israeli electoral authorities officially accepted the results of the October 27 election on Wednesday, rejecting allegations of fraud by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party. President Isaac Herzog, the head of state, now has the first opportunity to attempt forming a government, with neither Netanyahu nor his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, commanding a majority of 61 out of the 120 parliamentary seats.

The Central Elections Committee stated that they have reviewed all complaints and found no evidence to suggest election integrity was compromised. Netanyahu has alleged fraud by Arab-majority parties, citing arrests of individuals with cash on election day and claims that lawmakers received money from Qatar. Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated she would not question anyone without evidence following reports that the head of the domestic security service was seeking to interrogate Arab parties.

Eisenkot accused Likud of attempting a "pogrom against democracy" and warned Netanyahu against launching a new war with the US against Iran, which could aid his bid for a unity government or push for new elections. Opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, pointed to the recent US midterm elections where Democrats defeated President Trump's Republicans, eliminating any possibility of a unity government led by Netanyahu.