Netanyahu’s Party Prepares to Claim “Rigging” if It Loses the Election
A major political drama has come to light even before voting begins in Israel’s general election. Leading Israeli media have reported that Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline Likud Party is preparing to avoid a possible defeat. If it loses, the party plans to claim that the election was “stolen” or rigged.
According to Hebrew language media and the well known daily Haaretz, Likud has made a long plan to challenge the results at polling centres in Arab majority cities and towns. Several sources inside the party said the campaign is modelled on the “rigged election” claims that Mr. Donald Trump made after the 2020 US presidential election.
Experts say Likud and far right Religious Zionism parties have placed about two thousand workers at various centres. The stated reason is to watch the presence and voting of Arab voters. The party’s internal talks reportedly include plans to identify women who come to vote in a full burqa. They also plan to raise many claims of fraud at polling centres to make the results disputed.
Mr. Dean Livne, Director General of the Central Elections Committee, said there is no proof of major voter fraud in Israeli elections. He said the legal safeguards are very strong. Civil rights groups and watchdog bodies have voiced deep concern over Likud’s move. They have said they will keep a close watch to stop any attempt at voter fraud. This report is based on The Times of Israel.
