Israel's election commission finds no fraud in vote, contradicting Netanyahu claims

Israel's election commission said Wednesday it found no fraud in last week's vote, undermining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's unsubstantiated claims that Arab-led parties had "stolen" the election, possibly with foreign assistance. The committee stated its review found no evidence of irregularities compromising the election's integrity or affecting results, with acting director Dean Livne saying every complaint was examined individually and thoroughly. Results, set for formal certification Wednesday, "accurately reflect the choices voters made at the ballot box." The vote showed Netanyahu's religious-nationalist bloc losing its parliamentary majority while Arab-led parties gained. A separate Shin Bet investigation into alleged foreign interference continues. President Isaac Herzog will now consult parties before selecting a candidate to form a coalition, with possibilities including an alliance between rivals or a new election early next year.