Politics
The Israeli Election Commission has officially certified the results of last week’s general election, rejecting allegations made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
The Israeli Election Commission has officially certified the results of last week’s general election, rejecting allegations made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies after finding no evidence of electoral fraud or irregularities. According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli Election Commission has submitted the election results to President Isaac Herzog, who will hold consultations with the leaders of various political parties and parliamentary blocs over the next two days to facilitate the formation of a new government. Following these consultations, the president will invite the candidate considered most likely to secure parliamentary support to form a government.
In the Israeli elections held on October 27, Netanyahu’s supporting bloc secured 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot won 48 seats. Arab parties Ra’am and the Joint List achieved a record result, securing a combined 19 seats. A majority of 61 members is required to form a government in Israel’s 120-seat Knesset, but neither bloc managed to secure a clear majority. President Isaac Herzog urged political parties to demonstrate flexibility and reach political compromises to establish a new government and avoid another election. The head of the Election Commission and Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg said that casting doubt on the election results poses a genuine threat to Israeli democracy. He added that an examination of 9,069 polling stations had found no irregularities capable of undermining the transparency of the electoral process or affecting the results.
The Election Commission’s acting director-general, Dan Levin, also said that every complaint concerning the electoral process had been examined individually and that the results reflected the genuine will of voters. It is worth noting that Netanyahu and his allies have accused Arab parties of stealing the election and receiving foreign assistance. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also demanded that certification of the results be halted and Arab party leaders be arrested. His party, Otzma Yehudit, announced that it would vote against approving the election results. According to the report, representatives of Yesh Atid and Blue and White on the Election Commission’s five-member panel voted in favour of certifying the results, while representatives of Likud and Shas did not participate in the vote. Justice Noam Sohlberg cast the deciding vote, formally approving the results.
As part of the government-formation process, President Isaac Herzog will first meet the leaders of smaller parties, including Religious Zionism, Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu. Consultations with the leaders of other parties are expected on Thursday, concluding with meetings with Gadi Eisenkot and, finally, Likud representatives. After the consultations are completed, the president will give the designated candidate 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of another 14 days if necessary. If no candidate succeeds in forming a government, Israel could hold another election early next year. Israel has already held five elections between 2019 and 2022 amid prolonged political deadlock. Following the 2022 election, Netanyahu took 58 days to form a government. Election Commission head Justice Noam Sohlberg made clear that investigations into alleged electoral irregularities could continue, but legally certified results are binding and must be accepted by all parties. No political party or leader has the authority to prevent the publication of the election results.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced during the American midterm election period that the United States will stop providing Israel with $4 billion in annual assistance after the end of this year. According to Trump, an agreement has been reached with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the annual $4 billion in aid. However, Trump clarified that the United States would continue selling weapons to Israel and would still provide assistance if needed. Trump made the announcement amid the midterm elections. He explicitly stated that Israel no longer needed financial assistance from the United States. He also suggested that the decision could weaken arguments made by left-wing Democrats who criticize the Republican Party over American aid to Israel.
Speaking on Fox News’ Fox & Friends, Trump said the United States would stop providing financial assistance to Israel by the end of this year. However, he added that Washington would continue to help Israel if the need arose. Trump did not explain how the funding would be discontinued by December. The existing agreement between the United States and Israel remains in effect until September 2028. Under its terms, the United States provides Israel with $3.8 billion in annual military assistance. The announcement comes at a time of growing criticism of Israel in the United States. Democrats have repeatedly criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Polls indicate that support for Israel among American citizens is relatively low, while many believe that the United States provides Israel with excessive assistance in the Middle East.
