Netanyahu’s Camp Intensifies Pressure on Arab Parties Following Historic Electoral Gains

jordan pulse : On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp escalated pressure on the leaders of Arab parties, leveraging unverified allegations of receiving foreign funding in an effort to curb the substantial gains they achieved in the elections whose final results remain undecided.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the 'immediate' arrest of the leaders of those parties.
The vote counting process for Tuesday's elections is expected to conclude on Thursday. Neither Netanyahu nor the opposition bloc led by former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot has managed to secure a parliamentary majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
The general elections witnessed unprecedented high turnout among Arab citizens in Israel, who contend that Israel treats them as a minority, leading to discriminatory practices against them.
Collectively, the Arab parties hold a sufficient number of seats to enable the opposition bloc to reach the necessary majority. However, Eisenkot expressed reservations about taking such a step, particularly following the offensive launched by Netanyahu, who warned his right-wing Jewish base that voting for the opposition would bring Arabs to power.
Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, a conservative judge heading the Central Elections Committee, requested that the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) investigate claims asserting that the United Arab List (Ra'am) received funds from Qatar, which maintains communication channels with the Hamas movement.
Netanyahu's Likud Party stated in a press release: 'The 'Ra'am-gate' scandal represents a political earthquake. The Israeli elections have been stolen.'
The party added: 'This is an assault on democracy, aimed at enabling a foreign entity to control the Knesset, Islamize Israel, and overthrow right-wing rule.'
Ben-Gvir wrote on the 'X' platform: 'The Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) must order, as of this morning, the arrest of the heads of the Arab parties suspected of involvement in the foreign funds case.'
Government officials have provided no evidence supporting these accusations.
Arab Parties Under Pressure
With nearly 93% of the votes counted, Netanyahu’s camp secured 53 seats, while opposition forces led by Eisenkot won 48 seats—both well short of the 61 seats required to form a government.
Meanwhile, the Arab lists have so far obtained 19 seats, an unprecedented figure.
Some observers quickly noted that these allegations would serve Netanyahu's interests by rendering cooperation with Arab lawmakers politically embarrassing for Eisenkot.
Head of the Joint List, Yousef Jabareen, stated that he is prepared to cooperate with an opposition-led government to oust Netanyahu, without joining it directly.
He clarified that the primary priority is to end 'Netanyahu's blood-stained government,' though he noted that Arab lawmakers disagree on numerous issues with Eisenkot, who largely supported the destruction of Gaza ordered by Netanyahu following the October 7 attack.
In response to the new accusations, Eisenkot stated he is receiving briefings on developments and pledged to exercise 'the utmost vigilance' to prevent interference in the elections.
He added: 'Conversely, we cannot allow political entities to exploit the situation and influence the date of the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset.'
For his part, Avigdor Lieberman, a right-leaning ally of Eisenkot, described the allegations as 'grave and unprecedented,' calling for a swift investigation.
The Israeli police stated in a release that they would investigate every complaint regarding the integrity of the elections.
The Iranian Front
Benjamin Netanyahu, who has led Israel intermittently for over 19 years, is known as a seasoned politician skilled in political maneuvering.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu spoke of fraud allegations, claiming that envelopes containing cash were seized in the possession of Arab parties, and called on his supporters to head to the polls in response.
Police stated they arrested three suspects, though the Central Elections Committee described the incident as unusual.
Additionally, the prospect of launching an attack on Iran is expected to influence the formation process of the next Israeli government.
Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to launch strikes against Iran, while his ally, U.S. President Donald Trump, signaled a readiness to launch an attack following the U.S. midterm elections scheduled for next Tuesday, which forecasts indicate his Republican Party may lose some of its influence in.
Eisenkot warned the military establishment that Netanyahu lacks a mandate for such action, stressing that officers must not respond to his 'political needs.'
In the event of a strike on Iran, pressure would mount on Eisenkot to join an emergency national unity government—an option he has publicly ruled out—or it could prolong the political crisis until Israel can call for new elections.
Following the publication of official results, President Isaac Herzog will the individual tasked with forming the government.
Source: Rum News Agency

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp escalated pressure on the leaders of Arab parties, leveraging unverified allegations of receiving foreign funding in an effort to curb the substantial gains they achieved in the elections whose final results remain undecided.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the 'immediate' arrest of the leaders of those parties.
The vote counting process for Tuesday's elections is expected to conclude on Thursday. Neither Netanyahu nor the opposition bloc led by former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot has managed to secure a parliamentary majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
The general elections witnessed unprecedented high turnout among Arab citizens in Israel, who contend that Israel treats them as a minority, leading to discriminatory practices against them.
Collectively, the Arab parties hold a sufficient number of seats to enable the opposition bloc to reach the necessary majority. However, Eisenkot expressed reservations about taking such a step, particularly following the offensive launched by Netanyahu, who warned his right-wing Jewish base that voting for the opposition would bring Arabs to power.
Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, a conservative judge heading the Central Elections Committee, requested that the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) investigate claims asserting that the United Arab List (Ra'am) received funds from Qatar, which maintains communication channels with the Hamas movement.
Netanyahu's Likud Party stated in a press release: 'The 'Ra'am-gate' scandal represents a political earthquake. The Israeli elections have been stolen.'
The party added: 'This is an assault on democracy, aimed at enabling a foreign entity to control the Knesset, Islamize Israel, and overthrow right-wing rule.'
Ben-Gvir wrote on the 'X' platform: 'The Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) must order, as of this morning, the arrest of the heads of the Arab parties suspected of involvement in the foreign funds case.'
Government officials have provided no evidence supporting these accusations.
Arab Parties Under Pressure
With nearly 93% of the votes counted, Netanyahu’s camp secured 53 seats, while opposition forces led by Eisenkot won 48 seats—both well short of the 61 seats required to form a government.
Meanwhile, the Arab lists have so far obtained 19 seats, an unprecedented figure.
Some observers quickly noted that these allegations would serve Netanyahu's interests by rendering cooperation with Arab lawmakers politically embarrassing for Eisenkot.
Head of the Joint List, Yousef Jabareen, stated that he is prepared to cooperate with an opposition-led government to oust Netanyahu, without joining it directly.
He clarified that the primary priority is to end 'Netanyahu's blood-stained government,' though he noted that Arab lawmakers disagree on numerous issues with Eisenkot, who largely supported the destruction of Gaza ordered by Netanyahu following the October 7 attack.
In response to the new accusations, Eisenkot stated he is receiving briefings on developments and pledged to exercise 'the utmost vigilance' to prevent interference in the elections.
He added: 'Conversely, we cannot allow political entities to exploit the situation and influence the date of the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset.'
For his part, Avigdor Lieberman, a right-leaning ally of Eisenkot, described the allegations as 'grave and unprecedented,' calling for a swift investigation.
The Israeli police stated in a release that they would investigate every complaint regarding the integrity of the elections.
The Iranian Front
Benjamin Netanyahu, who has led Israel intermittently for over 19 years, is known as a seasoned politician skilled in political maneuvering.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu spoke of fraud allegations, claiming that envelopes containing cash were seized in the possession of Arab parties, and called on his supporters to head to the polls in response.
Police stated they arrested three suspects, though the Central Elections Committee described the incident as unusual.
Additionally, the prospect of launching an attack on Iran is expected to influence the formation process of the next Israeli government.
Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to launch strikes against Iran, while his ally, U.S. President Donald Trump, signaled a readiness to launch an attack following the U.S. midterm elections scheduled for next Tuesday, which forecasts indicate his Republican Party may lose some of its influence in.
Eisenkot warned the military establishment that Netanyahu lacks a mandate for such action, stressing that officers must not respond to his 'political needs.'
In the event of a strike on Iran, pressure would mount on Eisenkot to join an emergency national unity government—an option he has publicly ruled out—or it could prolong the political crisis until Israel can call for new elections.
Following the publication of official results, President Isaac Herzog will the individual tasked with forming the government.
Source: Rum News Agency