{"id":667045,"date":"2026-10-27T18:16:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T18:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/667045\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T18:16:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T18:16:12","slug":"opposition-hit-back-at-netanyahus-election-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/667045\/","title":{"rendered":"Opposition hit back at Netanyahu’s election claims"},"content":{"rendered":"

The leader of a key Israeli Arab party accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of incitement through his allegations of fraud on behalf of the minority group in today’s elections.<\/p>\n

“Benjamin Netanyahu is lying and inciting against the United Arab List, using it as a scare tactic to mobilise right-wing voters and drive them to the polls,” the list’s leader Mansour Abbas said in a video message.<\/p>\n

The party of Gadi Eisenkot, the main challenger to Mr Netanyahu, also warned that the premier was preparing to challenge the results of today’s election by claiming it was being stolen.<\/p>\n

“Netanyahu is in a panic – and he’s laying the groundwork to challenge the results,” Mr Eisenkot’s Yashar party said.<\/p>\n

“We have to be ahead of Likud by a huge margin; only then will there be no room to sow doubt about the results.”<\/p>\n

Mr Netanyahu had earlier renewed his attacks on Arab parties, warning after casting his ballot that “they’re trying to steal the election” after reports that individuals were arrested with envelopes of cash.<\/p>\n

The prime minister – who has used Arab-Israeli parties throughout the election to stoke fears of a Palestinian state – said that three senior officials of the Raam party had been arrested with envelopes full of cash in the south.<\/p>\n

“We cannot leave this battle here in the hands of the left and the Arab parties that want to bring an end to the Jewish state,” Mr Netanyahu said.<\/p>\n

“So, no barbecues, don’t go to the beach – go to the polling station and vote Likud.”<\/p>\n

The Likud party asked election authorities to extend polling hours as it sought to mobilise voters.<\/p>\n

“We have submitted a request to extend voting hours,” it said in a message on Telegram.<\/p>\n

Israelis have surged to the polls at the fastest rate in 50 years, in what voters described as the most consequential election in their history.<\/p>\n

\"A
\nA road sign stands in front of a large billboard featuring Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot<\/p>\n

In the first election since the 7 October 2023, Hamas-led attacks, voters are passionately engaged over the trauma of the country’s deadliest day, and the ensuing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.<\/p>\n

Despite being a relatively small party, Raam could play a decisive role in forming an opposition-led coalition if election results are as close as expected.<\/p>\n

Acting Central Elections Committee director general Dean Livne referred to the “unusual” incident in a press conference this morning, saying “police, even before people arrived at the polling stations, caught individuals who tried to bribe voters”.<\/p>\n

He said the unidentified suspects were not at polling stations and were caught near their homes, adding the matter was under investigation.<\/p>\n

“There are no similar incidents of this kind across the country; this was a localised case,” he said.<\/p>\n

RT\u00c9’s Deputy Foreign Editor Edmund Heaphy reports from Tel Aviv<\/p>\n

We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences<\/a><\/p>\n

Opposition parties, including that of Mr Netanyahu’s main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot, complained as voting got under way that their ballot papers were being defaced and stolen at polling places.<\/p>\n

“Contrary to claims circulating online, there are currently no indications of systematic tampering with ballot slips,” the Central Elections Committee was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel, adding that reports were being addressed immediately.<\/p>\n

Policies of Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition have been divisive at home and have deepened Israel’s international isolation, but he has defended his record as the only leader with the mettle to face Israel’s foes.<\/p>\n

Mr Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader with 19 years in office, is an unmatched political survivor, and his nationalist politics are increasingly entrenched. Israel’s fragmented system makes it difficult for an array of opponents to force out his coalition of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties.<\/p>\n

\"a
\nA man walks his dog past election posters near a polling station in Hod Hasharon<\/p>\n

\"Benjamin
\nBenjamin Netanyahu cast his vote at a polling station in Jerusalem<\/p>\n

His main rival Mr Eisenkot, a military ex-chief of staff, aims to unseat him with the support of parties on the right and centre, as well as the rump of an increasingly marginalised left. Opinion polls show a close race, with neither leader facing an easy path to power.<\/p>\n

Voters began casting ballots after polling stations opened at 7am (5am Irish time). The polls close at 10pm (8pm Irish time).<\/p>\n

The Central Elections Committee reported that 16.7% of eligible voters had already cast their ballots within the first three hours, the fastest early turnout rate since 1981.<\/p>\n

“I think these elections are the most important of all the ones I’ve known,” said Ruth Epstein, an 81-year-old longtime left-wing \u200cvoter in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, who voted for the opposition Democrats.<\/p>\n

“I’m really \u2060scared about what will be here.”<\/p>\n

\"Gadi
\nGadi Eisenkot votes at a polling station in Herzliya<\/p>\n

Netanyahu supporter Louis Lipsky of Jerusalem said he was voting to keep the prime minister in power, crediting him with normalising relations with several Arab states under the Abraham Accords of 2020.<\/p>\n

Mr Netanyahu has campaigned on his wartime leadership and an endorsement from US President Donald Trump, his ally in war against Iran, who has said they should “finish the job”.<\/p>\n

If neither Mr Netanyahu nor Mr Eisenkot can form a governing coalition in the 120-seat parliament, Mr Netanyahu could stay on as caretaker until another election is held.<\/p>\n

His opponents have managed to wrest him from the premiership only once since 2009, and that took four inconclusive elections in two years. He was back 18 months later.<\/p>\n

\"Posters
\nVoters are weighing on the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu<\/p>\n

For many of Mr Netanyahu’s opponents, the election turns on accountability for the security failures of 7 October, Israel’s deadliest day. Opposition groups have \u200cpromised to hold a national inquiry, which Mr Netanyahu’s government has resisted.<\/p>\n

“I am convinced that by the end of today, we will see achange – a new spirit for the State of Israel – that will serve as a rectification for the past three years and for that terrible day,” Mr Eisenkot said during a visit to kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel, targeted in \u2060the 7 October attacks.<\/p>\n

He walked to the polls with Gadi Mozes, one of 251 people kidnapped by Hamas and taken to Gaza during the attack that killed 1,200 people.<\/p>\n

Mr Eisenkot says Israel’s response – a war which health authorities say killed more than \u200c74,000 Palestinians – was a failure because Hamas remains in charge. He repeated his commitment to dismantle or destroy Hamas’ military and governing power in Gaza within 18 months of forming \u2060a government.<\/p>\n

Read More: What to know as Israel holds first vote since 7 October<\/a><\/p>\n

Mr Netanyahu’s critics have said the prime minister may try to cast doubt on the integrity of the voting process, which his office rejects.<\/p>\n

Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of a far-right party in Mr Netanyahu’s coalition, cast his vote in the Kiryat Arba settlement in the occupied \u2060West Bank early this morning.<\/p>\n

\"
\nItamar Ben-Gvir cast his vote in the occupied West Bank<\/p>\n

He predicted Mr Netanyahu would return as prime minister and his own party would serve as the right-wing anchor of the government.<\/p>\n

Arab turnout could be key<\/p>\n

Voters from Israel’s Arab minority – Israeli by citizenship but Palestinian by heritage – were voting in “unprecedented” numbers, \u2060Palestinian candidate Ahmed Tibi said.<\/p>\n

Mr Eisenkot has ruled out partnering with Arab parties, citing a lack of shared values, although some experts envision them propping up a minority government to ensure Mr Netanyahu is removed from office.<\/p>\n

“My expectation is that we will have only a slight majority either way. No landslide,” said Israeli political analyst Amotz Asa-El of the Shalom Hartman Institute.<\/p>\n

Israelis have their say as they go to polls in election<\/p>\n

\n

Mr Eisenkot joined Mr Netanyahu’s war cabinet after the 7 October attacks but quit after eight months, criticising his leadership.<\/p>\n

Israel flattened much of Gaza in the offensive launched after 7 October, and now occupies around two-thirds of the territory under a year-old US-brokered ceasefire.<\/p>\n

Israel also dealt heavy blows to Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and traded strikes with Iran, culminating in a 12-day aerial campaign against Iranian nuclear sites in 2025 and this year’s joint US-Israeli war.<\/p>\n

Like nearly all Jewish-led parties in Israel, Mr Eisenkot opposes the two-state solution that underpinned decades of peace negotiations with the Palestinians.<\/p>\n

But he has criticised Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, \u200cwhich has surged since 2023 and strained Israel’s ties with Western states.<\/p>\n

And he opposes Mr Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The leader of a key Israeli Arab party accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of incitement through his allegations…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":667046,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[42,43,40,38,41,39],"class_list":["post-667045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/667045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=667045"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/667045\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/667046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=667045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=667045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=667045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}