Turkey Slams 'Baseless' Claims of Meddling in Israel Elections
Turkey and Qatar reject allegations of interfering in Israel's national elections as Mossad and Shin Bet expand their investigation.
Turkey has issued a forceful denial against allegations that it interfered in Israel's recent national elections, labeling the claims as "entirely baseless." This diplomatic clash comes as Israeli security agencies ramp up a high-stakes investigation into potential foreign influence campaigns that may have swayed the voting process.
Ankara Hits Back at Disinformation
The Turkish government did not mince words in its response to the accusations. According to the Communications Directorate's Centre for Countering Disinformation, these claims are not merely false but are part of a "deliberate and blatant disinformation campaign."
Posting on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, the center warned the public against believing these reports, asserting that the allegations were designed specifically to manipulate public opinion and mislead the people.
Israel Expands Probe to Mossad and Shin Bet
The tension follows reports that Israel is widening its investigation into foreign meddling. While the Shin Bet was already involved, reports from The Times of Israel and Ynet indicate that the Mossad has now joined the probe. The investigation is reportedly focusing on the activities of both Turkey and Qatar.
The Shin Bet has clarified that the intelligence regarding potential voter fraud and foreign influence comes from internal security sources. The agency emphasized that this information was not provided by any political party or actor, and access to the intelligence was strictly limited to internal security personnel and Justice Noam Sohlberg, the chair of the Central Elections Committee (CEC), until the polls closed.
Qatar Joins the Denial
Turkey is not the only nation facing these accusations. Qatar has also strongly rejected claims that it funded activities to influence the Israeli vote. Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, stated on X that Doha would not remain silent while being dragged into Israel's internal political disputes.
Al Ansari mocked the nature of the accusations, noting that Qatar has been targeted by various sides of the Israeli political spectrum. He pointed out the contradictions in the claims, stating that some accuse Qatar of buying off Benjamin Netanyahu, others the political left, and now the Arab vote. "If these claims were to be believed, Qatar would apparently own all of Israel," Al Ansari remarked, accusing Israeli politicians of using Qatar as a "scapegoat" to cover their own failures.
Political Earthquake in Israel
The allegations have sparked intense volatility within the Israeli political landscape. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the situation as an "earthquake," claiming that foreign entities intervened to benefit Arab parties. He urged Zionist parties to refuse cooperation with the Joint List and Ra’am.
Adding to the heat, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, chairman of Otzma Yehudit, alleged that money from Qatar was involved and called for the arrest of leaders of the Arab parties.
Election Outcome and the 26th Knesset
These controversies unfold as the Central Elections Committee released the final results for the 26th Knesset, which is set to be sworn in on November 10. The results show a fragmented political map:
- Pro-Netanyahu Bloc: Secured 53 seats, failing to reach the majority required to form a government.
- Anti-Netanyahu Bloc: The final distribution of seats leaves the government formation in a state of uncertainty.