According to Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera, Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a post on X that such accusations would not deter Qatar from continuing its mediation efforts, diplomatic engagement, and humanitarian work across the region.
The allegations have emerged as a political coalition led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has targeted Arab political parties over unverified claims of Qatari funding during the elections.
During the campaign, Israel’s far-right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, went as far as calling for the arrest of leaders of these Arab parties.
Investigation Ordered into Suspected Foreign Funding
The chairman of Israel’s Central Elections Committee has instructed the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency, to investigate suspected foreign funding. However, a senior police official has dismissed allegations of electoral manipulation as unfounded.
Observers suggest that the campaign led by Netanyahu’s political coalition may be intended to complicate efforts by opposition parties to form alliances with Arab political parties.
Ben-Gvir has called for the Shin Bet to arrest Arab political leaders suspected of involvement in Qatari funding, provided there are legal grounds for such action.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has also called for an immediate investigation. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he demanded that the Shin Bet question the leaders of Arab political parties.
“The Shin Bet must interrogate the leaders of the Arab parties today. The State of Israel will not be sold out to radical Islam using terror-tainted funds,” he wrote.
Likud Party Labels Affair ‘Ra’am-gate’
Israel’s ruling Likud party has dubbed the affair the “Ra’am-gate scandal,” describing it as a “political earthquake.”
“This is a political earthquake. Israel’s elections have been stolen!” the party declared.
Likud has also argued that, in light of the allegations, opposition parties should not cooperate with the United Arab List, commonly known as Ra’am, in any effort to remove Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana from his position.
Qatar Reaffirms Its Position as Allegations Remain Unsubstantiated
Majed Al-Ansari reiterated that allegations of Qatari funding intended to interfere in Israeli elections or influence their outcome would not undermine Qatar’s diplomatic engagement or mediation efforts.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have yet to present evidence substantiating the claims. A senior police official has also dismissed allegations of electoral fraud as baseless.
With Qatar denying the accusations and Israeli politicians continuing to raise concerns over alleged foreign funding, the issue has become a source of political controversy in Israel, particularly regarding electoral politics and the potential for alliances between opposition parties and Arab political groups.
