Netanyahu’s Likud claims Palestinians ‘stole’ elections as Qatar denies meddling

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has claimed Israel ’s election was “stolen” by Palestinian citizens after their record turnout and electoral gains. In a statement on Thursday, Likud warned of an attempted “Islamisation of Israel” following a Shin Bet investigation into alleged foreign interference in the vote. Israeli politicians and media outlets aligned with the government have accused Qatar of funding efforts to boost turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel. Netanyahu’s son, Yair, echoed the allegations on X, claiming Qatar, Turkey and other Arab states had stolen the election. Qatar rejected the accusations, calling them “ridiculous and dangerous”.