Qatar denies election interference as Israel opens inquiry

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari denied that Doha interfered in Israel’s October 27 election or funded activity to influence the result, as Israeli authorities pursued an inquiry into suspected foreign funding. The reports do not establish that Qatar financed voter activity, and the investigation’s findings have not been reported. Al-Ansari said in a post on X that Qatar rejected allegations it had funded efforts to affect the election. He also denied that Doha had taken part in Israel’s political or electoral competition. Some Israeli political figures had alleged that Qatar financed activity to encourage Arab voter turnout, but no evidence substantiating those claims is presented in the reporting. Israel’s Central Elections Committee requested that the Shin Bet investigate suspected foreign influence through funding. Reports said the committee sought findings within a week. The inquiry concerns suspected funding and does not itself establish that interference occurred or that votes were improperly cast. The acting director of the elections committee said the election was conducted lawfully and polling-station integrity was rigorously safeguarded. He also...