Opposition leader Lapid accuses Netanyahu backers of attempts at 'crushing' Israel's democracy

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has accused supporters of Benajmin Netanyahu's government of attempting to "crush" Tel Aviv's democracy. "What we are seeing tonight is an attempt to crush democracy and steal the election with the help of government plants in the security system," he said in a post on X. "This is a direct threat to our democracy from people who are unwilling to admit defeat," Lapid added. The Israeli opposition leaders also called on state institution to "stand firm" against the move, calling on his counterparts to "put everything aside and form a government as quickly as possible". Lapid's remarks come amid reports of Shin Bet chief David Zini seeking to question three Palestinian party leaders in an investigation into possible foreign interference in the election. Netanyahu’s camp has been repeatedly accused in recent days of seeking to delegitimise the election results after claims that the vote for Palestinian-led parties, who won a historic 19 seats out of 120, were manipulated by foreign interference. Law enforcement officials have found no evidence of such claims or a justification to question the leaders. The mass participation of Palestinian citizens in Israel’s election last week obstructed both Netanyahu and his challenger Gadi Eisenkott from gaining the 61 seats required to secure a parliamentary majority and form a government.