Qatar Completely Denies Interfering in Israel's Election, Calls Allegations 'Ridiculous and Dangerous'
Qatar has completely denied allegations that it interfered in Israel's election or funded any activity intended to influence the election result. The country rejected the allegations on Thursday.
Majed Al-Ansari, adviser to Qatar's prime minister and spokesperson for the foreign ministry, said in a statement that Qatar completely denies that it interfered in Israel's election or funded any activity intended to influence the result.
Ansari alleged that some Israeli politicians and media figures are making Qatar a scapegoat for their own political failures. He described the allegations as ridiculous and dangerous.
The denial came in a specific context. Election committee chairman Noam Sohlberg has asked the Shin Bet security agency to investigate suspected hostile foreign interference in favour of Arab parties. Israeli politicians then raised allegations linking Qatar to suspected foreign interference in the election.
Ansari also said that whichever government is formed after the election must comply with international law and United Nations resolutions, resolve the Palestinian question, and respect the Palestinians' right to self-determination and to an independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He added that these allegations will not deter Qatar from its mediation, diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives and its support for the Palestinian people and regional stability.
In the vote count, after all regular ballots were counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats. The opposition bloc led by Eisenkot won 48 seats. Arab parties together won 19 seats.
A majority in the 120-member Knesset requires 61 seats, which neither main bloc reached. Arab lawmakers may therefore play a decisive role in efforts to form a government.
