Netanyahu camp exerts all-out pressure on Arab political parties through 'casting vote'

As the vote count for the Israeli general election is nearing its end, the right-wing camp led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched an all-out pressure targeting the Arab political parties that made progress in the election, raising suspicions of receiving unconfirmed illegal funds.

According to local media on the 29th (local time), Israel's Central Election Commission requested Shin Bet, a domestic intelligence agency, to investigate allegations that Ra'am, a key Arab political party, received funding from Qatar.

Netanyahu's Likud party called this 'Ra'am Gate' and claimed election rigging, but did not provide specific evidence to support this claim.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gbir went one step further and called for the immediate arrest of Arab political party leaders.

This offensive is interpreted as a ploy to reduce the political influence of Arab parties and block the formation of a coalition government by the opposition.

With 93% of the votes counted as of this morning, Netanyahu's camp secured 53 seats and the opposition led by former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot secured 48 seats, so it appears that it will be difficult for both sides to achieve the majority (61 seats) required to form a coalition.

On the other hand, major Arab political parties emerged as a clear casting board force, with a strong chance of securing a total of 19 seats.

It is difficult for the opposition party to form a coalition without the support of Arab parties, but due to Netanyahu's continued offensive, former Chief of Staff Eisenkot has maintained a cautious attitude toward solidarity with Arab parties.

The pan-Arab political party 'Joint List' can also cooperate with the anti-Netanyahu front, but is drawing a line against participation in the coalition led by Eisenkot, which has supported the operation to destroy the Gaza Strip.

Along with allegations of election rigging, the external security situation is also expected to act as a major variable in Israeli politics in the future.

There is speculation that if Prime Minister Netanyahu joins U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to launch military operations against Iran after the U.S. midterm elections next week, he could force the opposition party to join an emergency national government or delay the political situation under the pretext of a national security crisis.

Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog plans to nominate a top candidate who will be given the authority to form a coalition after the final election results are confirmed.