Qatar denies interfering in Israeli elections

Qatar on Thursday denied allegations that it interfered in Israel’s elections or funded activities aimed at influencing their outcome.

“We categorically deny allegations that Qatar has interfered in Israeli elections or funded any activities intended to influence their outcome,” Majed al-Ansari, adviser to the prime minister and spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, said in a statement.

Ansari accused certain Israeli politicians and media figures of using Qatar as a “scapegoat” for their political failures, calling the allegations “ridiculous and dangerous.”

The denial follows allegations by Israeli politicians linking Qatar to suspected foreign interference in the election, after election committee chairman Noam Sohlberg asked security agency Shin Bet to investigate suspicions of “hostile foreign interference” favoring Arab parties.

Ansari also said any government emerging from the election should uphold international law and UN resolutions, address the Palestinian issue and respect Palestinians’ right to self-determination and an independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He added that the allegations would not deter Qatar from its mediation, diplomatic and humanitarian efforts or its support for the Palestinian people and regional stability.

With all regular ballots counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc had secured 53 seats, compared with 48 for the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot, while Arab parties had won a combined 19 seats.

Neither main bloc had reached the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset, leaving Arab lawmakers potentially pivotal in efforts to form a government.

The elections were held earlier this week on Oct. 27.