Netanyahu claims elections were stolen
The gist
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu alleged Arab-led parties stole the election through bribery, threats and forgery.
Police and the elections committee say they have found no evidence for the claims.
How it unfolded
- Oct 27, 2026Israel holds its election; Arab-majority parties record their highest-ever turnout, winning an unprecedented 19 of the Knesset's 120 seats.
- Oct 28, 2026Netanyahu posts a statement alleging Arab-led parties stole the election through bribery, threats, violence, forgery and prohibited software; Likud says it is transferring hundreds of testimonies and pieces of evidence to police, Shin Bet and the Central Elections Committee.
- Oct 29, 2026Final results show Netanyahu's far-right bloc fell from 68 to 53 seats; the four parties of the main opposing bloc won 48 seats. Police say there is no evidence to support Likud's claims, and the elections committee's acting director-general says there is no basis for claims of a systematic compromise.