‘Your party drove Arab voters to polls’ – Herzog confronts Netanyahu ally over Israel election

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has suggested that far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party contributed to a sharp increase in Arab voter turnout during Israel's parliamentary election.

Herzog made the remarks during a tense exchange with Otzma Yehudit politician Yitzhak Wasserlauf at government formation consultations in Jerusalem on Thursday.

The confrontation began after Wasserlauf endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government and raised allegations of electoral interference.

Wasserlauf claimed that "hostile entities" had spent approximately 100 million shekels through cash payments and fuel cards to influence votes for certain electoral lists.

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Herzog questioned the timing and purpose of the allegations, suggesting that Otzma Yehudit's political campaign had encouraged Arab citizens to participate in the election.

"It may be that your entire campaign on this issue, without questioning the importance of a thorough investigation, is intended to divert attention. Pay attention to the fact that the masses of Israel's Arab citizens came out to vote in response to the conduct of your party and its leader," Herzog said.

The president also criticised Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, over his treatment of international detainees at the Port of Ashdod.

Herzog argued that Ben-Gvir's actions had damaged Israel's international reputation and affected its diplomatic position.

"Putting on a show in front of international detainees at the Port of Ashdod caused tremendous damage to Israel and its image. In other words, surely it is clear that what is being done and said here directly affects Israel's ability to maneuver on the international stage," he argued.

Addressing the vote-buying allegations, Herzog said a special team involving the Shin Bet security agency, police and prosecutors was already investigating the claims.

"A special investigative team has been set up, including the Shin Bet, the police and the prosecution - the best people available. They are pursuing the investigation with full force and will leave no stone unturned," Herzog said.

Wasserlauf questioned whether the investigation could change the election results, claiming that authorities had already ruled out such an outcome.

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Herzog rejected that interpretation, insisting that Israeli law provided a process for challenging election results if sufficient evidence emerged.

"I don't think that's right. Both case law and precedent allow the election results to be changed if there is a process involving findings, an indictment, and an investigation. So let the investigation do its work," Herzog responded.

The disagreement followed Israel's October 27 parliamentary election, which saw Arab-led parties increase their representation from 10 to a record 19 seats.

Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats, while the main opposition parties won 48, leaving neither side with the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

Israel's Central Elections Committee approved the results on Wednesday after finding no irregularities affecting the outcome.

However, a separate investigation into suspected foreign funding and electoral interference remains ongoing.

Herzog is holding consultations with parliamentary factions before deciding who will receive the mandate to form a government, with Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot seeking support to overcome the political deadlock.