National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for the arrest of Arab party leaders after the Central Elections Committee called on the Shin Bet to investigate allegations of foreign interference in Israel's election.
"The Shin Bet should order the arrest of the leaders of the Arab parties suspected of involvement with Qatari funds as early as this morning, along with all other suspects in the case, including figures within the Muslim Brotherhood and their offshoots, provided there is a legal basis for their arrest," said Ben-Gvir.
The Shin Bet launched the investigation following a directive issued by Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg, citing "severe suspicions... regarding improper influence through foreign funding by entities acting against Israeli interests during the elections."
The investigation is examining alleged funding channels, including suspected links to networks previously associated with terrorist organizations, as well as reports of envelopes containing cash and voting slips for the Ra’am party being intercepted.
Suspected sources of funds, which have allegedly utilized channels linked to terrorist organizations, include Qatar and Turkey, according to preliminary Shin Bet investigations.
Eisenkot, opposition leaders react to shaken election integrity
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said he is in contact with the relevant officials about the situation.
"The State of Israel must do everything in its power to protect the integrity of the elections against any attempt at interference, political spin, or manipulation, and thoroughly investigate every complaint," a spokesperson for Eisenkot wrote in a statement.
"At the same time, political actors must not be allowed to exploit the situation to influence the date of the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset."
Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman responded to the investigation, saying, "The suspicion of election interference using foreign Islamist money is a testing ground for the State of Israel. The leaders of the Arab parties must be investigated by the Shin Bet today. The State of Israel will not be sold to radical Islam with terror funds."
Chairman of the Democrats party, Yair Golan, accused Likud of weaponizing state institutions and concocting the controversy for political gain.
He said, "Netanyahu is trying to challenge the election results through an ugly delegitimization campaign against the will of the public, and against the Arab public in particular."
Golan added, "Any real suspicion of harming the purity of the elections must be investigated to the fullest, and we must not forget - the most serious Qatari betrayal and involvement took place in Netanyahu's office. We are still waiting for Urich to be fired. Until then, Netanyahu will continue to bark. We will continue to work. The public fired him. We will make sure that he vacates the chair."
Coalition calls for investigation, arrest over Knesset 'terrorist incident'
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the suspected interference "using foreign Islamist money" a "testing ground for the State of Israel."
He called for an immediate investigation into the leadership of Arab parties, saying, "The State of Israel will not be sold to radical Islam with terror funds."