Netanyahu fraud claims fail after 9,069-booth Israel audit
In Israel, Netanyahu’s fraud claims against Arab parties were dismissed after an audit of 9,069 polling stations, as Herzog prepares to assign the first mandate.
Israel’s Central Elections Committee said an audit of 9,069 polling stations found no harm to the integrity of the October 27 vote.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had alleged fraud by Arab-majority parties; the panel said results accurately reflect voters’ will.
President Isaac Herzog was due at noon (1000 GMT) to receive the results and begin deciding who first tries to form a government.
Neither Netanyahu’s bloc (53 seats) nor rival Gadi Eisenkot (48) holds the 61 seats needed in the 120-member parliament.
Arab-majority parties hold 19 seats and could be pivotal if Eisenkot seeks a majority; coalition talks may last weeks or months.