Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Israel’s Arab parties of stealing Tuesday’s parliamentary election through bribery, forgeries, prohibited software to mobilize voters and violence.
Mr. Netanyahu, whose Likud bloc received 53 votes, said his party was transferring hundreds of pieces of evidence and testimony about allegations of election theft in several Arab polling stations to Israeli law enforcement and security officials.
“We demand from the police and the Shin Bet a thorough investigation into the election theft by Arab parties and the full prosecution of criminals,” Mr. Netanyahu said.
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He said Likud has evidence of cash-stuffed envelopes with slips of the Arab Ra’am party, several incidents of multiple voting behind the curtain, and voting with double identities.
“This is a serious blow to Israeli democracy and the voting rights of Israeli citizens,” Mr. Netanyahu said on social media. “The law enforcement agencies must act with an iron fist and in an immediate manner.”
The Arab parties won a historic 19 seats in the Israeli Parliament and have emerged as kingmakers.
Mr. Netanyahu’s main rival, former Israel Defense Forces chief Gadi Eisenkot, has 48 seats.
A bloc needs 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset to form a governing coalition.
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