'Ra'amgate Earthquake': Netanyahu Slams Foreign Funding of Polls
PM Netanyahu calls the foreign funding of polls allegations 'Ra'amgate,' urging Zionist parties to shun Arab parties amid a Shin Bet probe.
A political firestorm has erupted in Jerusalem after the Israel Election Committee ordered a formal investigation into allegations of foreign funding of polls. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reacted with fury, labeling the situation "Ra'amgate" and describing the revelations as a seismic shift that threatens the very foundations of Israeli democracy.
Netanyahu Warns of 'Foreign Takeover'
In a scathing post on X, the Likud Party leader characterized the decision to investigate as an "earthquake," claiming that the elections in Israel were effectively stolen. He pointed to statements made by Judge Solberg regarding the involvement of foreign entities that allegedly bribed voters to benefit Arab parties.
Netanyahu argued that this interference is not merely a legal breach but a strategic attack designed to achieve a foreign takeover of the Knesset. He warned that such actions aim to facilitate the "Islamization of Israel" and the dismantling of right-wing governance, which he claims would lead to the defeat of the IDF across all fronts, specifically mentioning the threat from Iran.
"It is clear that no Zionist party should cooperate with Ra'am and the Joint List, replace the Knesset Speaker through votes bought for cash, and form a government that is dangerous to Israel," Netanyahu stated.
The Prime Minister has called upon the police and the Shin Bet to utilize every available resource to investigate these alleged crimes immediately.
Right-Wing Ministers Demand Arrests
The rhetoric has been echoed and amplified by other key members of the Likud-led coalition. Finance Minister and Religious Zionism Party Chairman Bezalel Smotrich described the suspicion of Islamist foreign money as a "litmus test" for the state. Smotrich insisted that the leaders of the Arab parties undergo interrogation by the Shin Bet immediately, asserting that Israel will not be sold to "radical Islam with terrorist money."
Adding to the pressure, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Chairman of Otzma Yehudit, specifically alleged the involvement of funds from Qatar. Ben Gvir demanded the immediate arrest of Arab party bosses and any associates linked to the Muslim Brotherhood or its offshoots, provided there is a legal basis for such action.
The Judicial Trigger
The current crisis was sparked by a letter from Justice Noam Sohlberg, Chair of the Israeli Central Elections Committee, addressed to Shin Bet chief David Zini. Justice Sohlberg revealed that serious suspicions had reached him regarding improper influence over the elections, exerted through funding from foreign entities acting against Israeli interests.
While Sohlberg noted he could not personally attest to the substance of the claims, he emphasized the obligation to investigate thoroughly to maintain public trust in the democratic process. The Shin Bet has been instructed to uncover evidence to either prove or refute these suspicions, with a deadline to present findings within one week.
Opposition Cautions Against Political Maneuvering
Amidst the chaos, opposition bloc leader Gadi Eisenkot has urged caution. While agreeing that the purity of elections must be guarded with vigilance and every complaint investigated, Eisenkot warned against the investigation being used as a political tool.
He stressed that political actors must not be allowed to exploit the probe to influence or delay the timing of the inauguration of the 26th Knesset.
The investigation into the foreign funding of polls is expected to create a significant barrier to any potential alliance between Arab parties and the bloc led by Eisenkot, potentially reshaping the future of the coalition government.