Israel’s Central Elections Committee dismisses Netanyahu fraud claims after reviewing 9,069 polling stations

In Israel, prolonged negotiations became necessary to form governing coalitions during this period of instability. Political factions struggled to secure the support needed for a stable administration.

Israel held a general election on October 27, 2026. The Netanyahu-led bloc won 53 seats. Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc secured 48 seats. Arab-led parties won 19 seats. No group reached the 61-seat majority required to govern in the 120-seat Knesset. Parties entered intense negotiations following the result. The outcome left the nation without a clear path to a governing coalition. Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir alleged fraud.

Party leaders are expected to petition the president for the first mandate to form a government before the Knesset is sworn in on November 10, 2026. Following the committee's decision, the Palestinian political grouping Ra’am announced it would recommend that Gadi Eisenkot form the next government. Consequently, President Isaac Herzog is expected to name Eisenkot to form the next government, a process that could begin as early as November 5, 2026.

1. The Israel Central Elections Committee confirmed the final results of the general election on November 4, 2026. The committee reviewed 9,069 polling stations. It found no evidence of irregularities that compromised the election results. Officials rejected allegations of mass fraud and foreign interference in the electoral process. They cited a lack of evidence to support these claims.

2. Representatives from Yesh Atid and Blue and White ratified the results in the committee session. Likud and Shas representatives abstained. Justice Noam Sohlberg cast the deciding vote to certify the election results of October 27, 2024. The Netanyahu-led bloc secured 53 seats. The opposition bloc won 48 seats.

3. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara blocked a request from the Shin Bet security service to interrogate senior politicians from Palestinian-led parties, citing a lack of evidence of wrongdoing.

1. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed the elections were fraudulent. Ben-Gvir also claimed foreign interference occurred. On X, Ben-Gvir wrote that the results were stolen. He also called for the arrest of Arab party leaders.

2. Shin Bet chief David Zini, appointed by Netanyahu, ordered interrogations of senior politicians. Zini sought to classify the investigation as a security file.

3. Likud lawmaker Amit Halevi resigned from the Central Elections Committee. Halevi alleged that certain lawmakers purchased their seats with bribe money. The committee certified the October 27, 2026, election results after finding no evidence of fraud.

4. The Shin Bet security agency alleged that intelligence indicated widespread foreign funding and influence operations. Law enforcement sources stated they were unaware of any such operation. The Central Elections Committee reviewed 9,069 polling stations. They found no irregularities affecting the election results.

5. Qatar rejected claims that it funded Arab-led parties and dismissed the allegations as disinformation.