Netanyahu alleges foreign interference in Israeli elections; commission finds none

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged "serious suspicions" of foreign interference in the October 27 elections, claiming foreign states spent considerable sums to influence the results, though the electoral commission found no irregularities. Netanyahu made the claims in a video address, marking the first time he personally relayed allegations previously pushed by his camp without evidence. The opposition accuses him of questioning the vote's validity to cling to power, as no bloc secured a majority in the fragmented parliament. The election left Netanyahu's camp with 53 seats and the opposition bloc led by centrist Gadi Eisenkot with 48, far short of the 61 needed to control the Knesset. President Isaac Herzog has begun consultations to select a candidate to form a government, with Israeli Arab parties holding 19 seats potentially decisive.