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Police Arrest Three in Suspected Voter Bribery Case

By Drooid · Oct 28, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Police arrested three people on suspicion of voter bribery linked to alleged Ra’am misconduct.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Arab voters could threaten Israel’s Jewish character and accused three Ra’am members of theft.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich pledged Jewish settlements would be established in Gaza.
Al Jazeera reported Netanyahu’s bloc projected 56 seats with 84% of ballots counted, below the 61 needed.

History

On 29 May 1996 Israel held its first direct prime-ministerial vote. After a wave of Hamas suicide bombings in March that killed 32 Israelis, Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu narrowly defeated incumbent Shimon Peres by 29,457 votes, becoming the first native-born PM. U.S. President Bill Clinton’s backing and Jordan’s King Hussein’s support underscored the election’s international dimension.

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On 29 May 1996 Israel held its first direct prime-ministerial vote. After a wave of Hamas suicide bombings in March that killed 32 Israelis, Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu narrowly defeated incumbent Shimon Peres by 29,457 votes, becoming the first native-born PM. U.S. President Bill Clinton’s backing and Jordan’s King Hussein’s support underscored the election’s international dimension.

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