Israeli election inquiry has found no evidence of alleged foreign funding, report says

Israel's Shin Bet security service has not found evidence supporting claims of foreign interference in last month's election, according to a report citing two senior law-enforcement officials. The inquiry is continuing, despite allegations made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shin Bet chief David Zini.

Investigators have reportedly found no proof that hundreds of thousands of shekels were transferred from the Palestinian Authority to Arab-led Israeli parties. Dozens of people have been questioned. Major fuel companies also reported no unusual fuel-card activity, weakening a separate allegation that cards were offered to Arab voters in exchange for their votes.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said on Sunday that she had seen no evidence from the inquiry of anything that could have affected the election result or supported claims warranting a change to it. Police and Shin Bet are expected to submit their assessments in the coming days.

Parties led by Palestinian citizens of Israel won 19 seats in the 27 October election, according to certified results. That outcome could help remove Netanyahu if Jewish opposition parties agree to cooperate with them. President Isaac Herzog has given opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a government.

Qatar has rejected allegations of election interference or funding, describing them as an attempt to draw it into Israeli political disputes. The absence of supporting evidence so far should not be confused with a completed investigation.