Qatar rejects 'ridiculous' Israeli claims of election interference

Netanyahu's party accuses Qatar of funding high turnout by Palestinian voters with Israeli citizenship Benjamin Netanyahu in occupied East Jerusalem on 5 July (AFP/Ilia Yefimovich) Published date: 29 October 2026 13:37 GMT | Last update: 10 sec ago Qatar has rejected claims by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party that it has interfered in Israel's elections by funding activities aimed at influencing the result. The accusations were made following a high turnout by Palestinian citizens of Israel during the vote on 27 October. The Times of Israel reported that the state's Shin Bet intelligence agency is investigating the source of funding for groups encouraging Palestinian citizens to vote, with Qatar being the focus of those inquiries. It also reported that Israeli police had dismissed the claims, saying that there was no evidence that the election was "stolen". Qatar rejected the accusations being promoted by some Israeli politicians and their associated media outlets. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said in a statement on X that the accusations would not deter Doha from continuing its mediation efforts and diplomatic and humanitarian work. Who are the Palestinian citizens of Israel? Read More » "These accusations are ridiculous and dangerous in equal measure," Ansari wrote. "The repeated invocation of Qatar in Israeli electoral rhetoric reveals an excessive obsession with our country among certain Israeli political and media figures. "Qatar should not be used as a scapegoat for the political failures of certain Israeli politicians." Palestinian-backed parties, which are part of two separate slates, won 19 seats in the vote, placing them as potential kingmakers in coalition negotiations to determine who becomes prime minister. Neither Netanyahu nor Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition bloc, has secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority, partly as a result of the success of Palestinian-led parties. Palestinian parties have offered to support an opposition-led minority government to prevent Netanyahu from returning to power. But key opposition figures have rejected the prospect of governing with Arab parties. Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.