Qatar denies interfering in Israeli vote as Shin Bet probes suspected funding of Arab turnout

Qatar rejects the accusations

Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al Ansari, denied on Thursday, 29 October, that Doha interfered in Israel's election or financed activities to influence its result. He posted the denial on X, aimed at certain Israeli politicians and their contacts in the media, whom he did not name. He described the claims as another disinformation campaign meant to drag Qatar into Israel's internal disputes after the vote held on Tuesday, 27 October. Al Ansari also said the accusers claim Qatar has bought Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli political left and, in the latest campaign, the Arab vote.

“We categorically deny allegations that Qatar has interfered in Israeli elections or funded any activities intended to influence their outcome.”

Election commission asks for a Shin Bet probe

On Wednesday, 28 October, Central Elections Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg asked Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate suspicions of foreign interference, after Zini presented information described as exceptionally serious. Channel 12 reported that the suspicion under review concerns large sums moved by Arab entities to raise turnout in the Arab community through illegal means. The commission said the information behind the suspected vote-buying was solid. Haaretz reported that the complaints included suspicions of Qatari funds meant to increase Arab voter turnout. The request named no country, but several Israeli politicians and media outlets pointed at Qatar.

Arrests and Likud's claims

Three arrests were made on 27 October over alleged payments in exchange for votes for the Ra'am party, and several more suspects have since been arrested in the same inquiry. On 28 October the Likud party accused Arab parties of stealing the election through corruption, threats, violence, electoral fraud and banned software. Likud also sent the commission material it says includes direct recordings of Arab community members admitting to buying votes with fuel vouchers and cash. Police and election sources cited by Times of Israel rejected the fraud allegations, and police said there was no evidence the election had been tainted. The intelligence material now under review goes beyond what Likud presented, including further elements identified by the Shin Bet.

Seats and coalition arithmetic

Palestine-backed parties, running on two separate lists, won 19 seats in the vote. Neither Netanyahu nor Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the opposition bloc, has secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority, partly as a result of those parties' success. That gives the Palestine-backed parties a possible role in the coalition talks that will decide who becomes prime minister. They have offered to back a minority government led by the opposition to keep Netanyahu out of power. Senior opposition figures, however, have rejected governing with Arab parties.

Majority threshold61

Palestine-backed parties19

Majority threshold

61 seats

Palestine-backed parties

19 seats

Data from the article text

Qatar's wider role

Qatar hosts the political office of Hamas and played a central role in negotiations between Israel and Hamas during the war in Gaza. Doha also takes part in diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran to end a conflict that began in late February, after Israeli and US attacks on Iran. Al Ansari said the accusations would not divert Qatar from its mediating role. He also urged Israeli politicians to focus on their own voters.

“Qatar should not be used as a scapegoat for the political failures of certain Israeli politicians.”

Neither bloc has yet reached the 61-seat threshold.