Shin Bet Puts 19 Seats Out of Reach for Election Probe

Israeli voters who backed Palestinian-led lists will not see those 19 Knesset seats reopened by the current investigation. Shin Bet, the domestic intelligence agency, described its work as targeted and limited, and said the inquiry could not change the outcome of the vote.

The probe examines alleged funding meant to raise turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel. Dean Livne, acting director general of the Central Elections Committee, said there was no basis for claims of systematic breaches of election integrity.

Channel 12, citing agency sources, reported the matter under review could not affect the results. Shin Bet said its findings would go to the Central Elections Committee once the investigation concludes. The agency stated the inquiry looks at individuals, not at any population group as a whole.

The statement reads: "It should be emphasised that this type of investigation is also targeted and limited, and it should not be used to cast suspicion or accuse an entire segment of the population that voted democratically and legally." It added: "Only those who acted in violation of the law will be addressed."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party had called the election stolen following record turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel. Likud also warned of an Islamisation of Israel after reports surfaced about Shin Bet looking into suspected foreign involvement in the vote. Politicians and media outlets aligned with the government pointed at Qatar for the funding. Doha rejected the claim, calling it ridiculous and dangerous. Palestinian-led parties denied any role and said Netanyahu ran an incitement campaign against them.

Ra'am and the Joint List ran as two slates and together took 19 seats, a count that could prove decisive in coalition talks. Shin Bet said Netanyahu, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Lapid had each received briefings on the main allegations.

Lapid said on X that the material he reviewed carries no risk of upending the results. He added there was no barrier to swearing in the Knesset. Eisenkot accused Likud and Netanyahu of running a coordinated effort to delegitimize the count.

Likud asked Zionist opposition parties to keep clear of any deal with Ra'am and the Joint List. Ahmad Tibi, a Joint List Knesset member, told Israeli Army Radio that opposition figures had approached him about replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a Likud lawmaker. Tibi said several names for the post came up in those talks and that he backs the change.

The swearing-in of the new Knesset remains the scheduled next step, with the investigation's findings set for delivery to the Central Elections Committee.