Israeli police target Palestinian parties after record election win

Israel has certified its election results, confirming a record 19 seats for Palestinian-led parties, but those gains have triggered police raids, arrests, and interrogations by state security agencies. The results challenge right-wing claims of a stolen vote. The Joint List and Ra’am parties' success could aid Zionist opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in forming a government. Netanyahu and allies allege illegality, while analysts say the backlash was preplanned, citing heavy Arab voter turnout as a shock to the establishment. The crackdown included arrests of Ra’am supporters and a journalist, with critics calling it an attempt to steal the election. Experts link the intimidation to historical discriminatory policies, noting Palestinian citizens have long been viewed as a fifth column since 1948.