Israel election results certified as fraud claims rejected

Israel’s Central Elections Committee certified last week’s parliamentary election results on Wednesday, rejecting fraud claims by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies. The certification is a setback to efforts to discredit the vote, with the committee finding no irregularities that compromised the election’s integrity. The committee reviewed 9,069 polling stations and examined every complaint individually, confirming results accurately reflected voters’ choices. Likud and Shas abstained from ratifying, while Netanyahu’s allies alleged foreign interference, with Shin Bet citing intelligence on influence operations. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for arrests of Arab party leaders, though no evidence has been presented. The results were submitted to President Isaac Herzog, who begins coalition talks Wednesday, with Netanyahu’s bloc winning 53 seats, Eisenkot’s 48, and Arab-led parties a record 19. Neither side reached the 61-seat majority, raising prospects of a unity government or new elections early next year.