Lieberman Accuses Palestinian Authority of Bankrolling Arab Parties in Israeli Elections

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman accused the Palestinian Authority on Monday of interfering in Israel’s recent Knesset elections, alleging that it provided financial support to the Arab Joint List and exercised considerable influence over both the Joint List and Ra’am. The accusations come amid growing controversy over possible foreign involvement in the election and the role Arab parties could play in forming Israel’s next government.

Speaking at a press conference, Lieberman claimed that the Palestinian Authority had played an active role in shaping the political activities of Israel’s Arab factions, going beyond ordinary expressions of political support to influence their conduct during the election campaign.

“The Palestinian Authority was very involved and was the guiding force behind both Ra’am and the Joint List. They’re stirring the pot. As for Qatari money – maybe Urich knows,” Lieberman claimed, referring to Yonatan Urich, a senior aide to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu who has been implicated in the investigation known as Qatargate.

Lieberman’s remarks added another dimension to allegations that outside governments and political interests sought to influence voting within Israel’s Arab communities. Reports of possible foreign financing have already prompted scrutiny of whether money originating outside Israel was directed toward election-related political activities.

The Yisrael Beytenu leader did not publicly present documentation substantiating his specific accusations against the Palestinian Authority. His claims remain allegations, and the extent of any foreign involvement has not been conclusively established.

Lieberman also reiterated his refusal to participate in a government dependent on Arab parties, arguing that such an arrangement would deepen political divisions and encourage separatism rather than strengthen integration into Israeli society.

“In the previous elections, fewer than 14 percent of Arab voters voted for Zionist parties. We don’t want to encourage separatism. I received thousands of text messages from the left urging me to sit with the Arab parties. I answered them, ‘Don’t you have a memory? Have you forgotten?'”

His comments carry particular significance because of the parliamentary arithmetic following the October 27 election. Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats, while the Jewish opposition parties secured 48. The Joint List and Ra’am together captured 19 seats, leaving the Arab factions in a potentially decisive position as political leaders attempt to assemble a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

Lieberman announced Monday that Yisrael Beytenu would recommend Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot to form the next government, while ruling out joining a Netanyahu-led coalition. However, he also rejected the possibility of establishing a minority government dependent on Arab parliamentary support, complicating Eisenkot’s prospects of replacing Netanyahu.

The foreign-interference controversy has prompted an investigation by the Shin Bet, working alongside police and prosecutors under the supervision of Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg. Authorities are examining suspicions that money from foreign sources was directed toward influencing Arab voter turnout during the election campaign.

Israeli media have reported that investigators are examining allegations involving hundreds of thousands of shekels received by a Joint List lawmaker. Questions remain about the origin of the money, whether it was connected to Qatar, and whether it was used for campaign activities. No definitive findings have been announced.

Despite the allegations, Sohlberg emphasized Sunday that the election results remain valid and that the investigation does not provide grounds for overturning the nationwide vote. Appearing alongside Shin Bet chief David Zini, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, and senior election officials, he affirmed that the voting process had been conducted properly.

Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas has denied that his party was involved in improper foreign financing, while election authorities have cautioned against treating allegations concerning particular individuals as evidence of wrongdoing by Arab voters generally.

Lieberman has likewise opposed canceling the election results, even while insisting that suspected foreign involvement must be investigated. His position leaves him aligned with the opposition’s effort to replace Netanyahu but firmly opposed to the parliamentary arrangement that could provide Eisenkot with the votes necessary to form a government.