Israeli President Isaac Herzog has backed a full investigation into suspicions of foreign interference in Tuesday's parliamentary election, after the Central Elections Committee chair asked the Shin Bet security agency to examine the allegations. Herzog said he had spoken to both the committee chair, Justice Noam Sohlberg, and Shin Bet chief David Zini.

"The integrity of elections is a paramount value in a democracy," Herzog said, according to reports of his remarks from the President's Residence. "The evidence and suspicions must be thoroughly investigated, and the offenders must be investigated and punished to the fullest extent of the law."

Claims remain suspicions, not findings

Nothing in the reporting so far presents foreign interference as proven. Sohlberg said he could not attest to the nature of the suspicions, and asked the Shin Bet to obtain evidence that would substantiate or refute them. Hebrew media reports cited in the coverage point to suspicions of Qatari money intended to influence Arab turnout, with Turkey also suspected of improper meddling. Those are reported suspicions, not conclusions. Qatar has denied interfering in Israel's elections.

The probe follows accusations from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies of electoral bribery intended to drive up Arab voting. Opposition figures have called for an impartial investigation while warning against using unverified allegations to question the result. Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot said unverified claims should not delay the new parliament from convening on schedule.

Separate arrests, and a warning on voters

Seven people were separately arrested over alleged vote-buying on behalf of the Arab party Ra'am, in a separate case. Herzog cautioned against tarnishing an entire community, saying: "We must avoid tarnishing an entire community that sought to exercise its right to vote and take an active part in democracy."

Sources: LatestLY (ANI), Devdiscourse (ANI)