Qatar on Thursday strongly denied allegations that it had financed efforts to influence Israel's parliamentary elections, accusing Israeli politicians of attempting to blame Doha for their domestic political setbacks following an inconclusive vote.
The denial came as Israel's domestic security agency, Shin Bet, was asked to investigate suspected foreign interference in Tuesday's election, including allegations that money had been channelled into Arab communities to encourage voter participation.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari dismissed the accusations as politically motivated and rejected suggestions that Doha had attempted to influence the electoral outcome.
"We categorically deny allegations that Qatar has interfered in Israeli elections or funded any activities intended to influence their outcome," Al-Ansari said in a statement.
He described the claims as part of a disinformation campaign aimed at drawing Qatar into Israel's internal political disputes.
𝗤𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Al-Ansari accused certain Israeli politicians and media figures of repeatedly invoking Qatar's name to explain political developments within Israel.
He said Doha had previously faced accusations of influencing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political opponents, with the latest allegations extending to Arab voters.
"If these claims were to be believed, Qatar would apparently own all of Israel," he remarked.
Calling the allegations "ridiculous and dangerous", Al-Ansari said Qatar should not be made a scapegoat for the political failures of Israeli leaders.
He maintained that Qatar had no involvement in Israel's political or electoral competition and would not accept attempts to draw it into domestic disputes.
The spokesperson also said Qatar would continue its diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, including mediation initiatives and support for the Palestinian people, despite the controversy.
𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲
The controversy intensified after Israeli Central Elections Committee chairman and Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg asked Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate suspicions of foreign funding and possible electoral bribery.
Sohlberg sought findings within a week, citing the need to examine the allegations before deadlines for challenging election results.
The allegations reportedly concern possible financial support from foreign entities to organisations encouraging turnout among Arab voters.
Netanyahu's Likud party has accused Qatar and Turkey of attempting to influence the election, but publicly available evidence has not established their involvement.
Israeli election officials have also said there is no evidence of systematic irregularities affecting the integrity of the vote, although specific allegations remain subject to examination.
𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀
The allegations emerged after Arab-led parties secured a combined 19 seats in Israel's 120-member Knesset, giving them a potentially significant role in post-election coalition negotiations.
With regular ballots counted, Netanyahu's bloc stood at 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot had 48 seats.
Neither alliance reached the 61 seats required to form a parliamentary majority, leaving the possibility of coalition arrangements dependent on negotiations with other parties.
The results have placed Arab parties at the centre of Israel's political discussions, particularly over whether opposition groups could seek their support to form a government.
Netanyahu and his allies have alleged irregularities involving Arab voters, while opposition leaders have criticised attempts to question the legitimacy of their participation without substantiated evidence.
𝗗𝗼𝗵𝗮 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲
Qatar also called on the government emerging from Israel's election to respect international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
Al-Ansari urged Israeli leaders to address the Palestinian question and recognise the right of Palestinians to self-determination and an independent state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He said Doha would continue working with regional and international partners to pursue diplomatic solutions to conflicts and promote stability.
The controversy has added another dimension to Israel's post-election uncertainty, with the security investigation proceeding alongside negotiations over the formation of a new government.
While Israeli authorities examine the allegations, Qatar has maintained that it neither funded electoral activities nor attempted to influence the outcome of the October 27 vote.