Israel's Electoral Commission clears election, anti-Netanyahu bloc unites for president talks

Israel's Electoral Commission said Wednesday it found no evidence of fraud or compromise to the integrity of last week's elections, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's accusations that Arab Israeli parties manipulated the vote. The announcement came hours before President Isaac Herzog began consultations with parties to select a candidate to form the next government. The commission stated all complaints were reviewed and no irregularities were found, including a detailed audit of over 9,000 ballot boxes described as unprecedented. Netanyahu's Likud party had accused Arab parties of fraud after their strong performance on October 27 prevented him from securing a parliamentary majority. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara had requested evidence from internal security chief David Zini to support the claims. Herzog must nominate a government formateur by November 11, with no bloc holding the 61-seat majority needed. Netanyahu's allies hold 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot has 48, potentially reaching a majority with support from Arab parties, which won a record 19 seats. The opposition's "change bloc" leaders met Tuesday to align strategy for a possible national emergency government.