Election bribery? Demand to urgently investigate Ra'am
Ministers and Knesset members have turned to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee and the head of the Shin Bet, demanding an investigation into suspicions of widespread election bribery in the Ra'am party, following the arrest of suspects with tens of thousands of shekels and reports of gift card distribution at polling stations.
A number of ministers and Knesset members have sent an urgent letter to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, and to Shin Bet head David Zini, demanding an investigation into the Ra'am party on suspicion of widespread election bribery. The appeal was made following the arrest of three Negev residents identified with Ra'am activity, in whose possession envelopes with tens of thousands of shekels in cash were seized. It was also alleged that reports were received of the distribution of fuel cards and gift cards at polling stations in Arab communities. The signatories, including Ministers Amichai Eliyahu and Amichai Shikli, MKs Simcha Rothman, Yitzhak Kroizer, and Ohad Tal, and Zehut party leader Moshe Feiglin, demand answers within 24 hours. They link the suspicions to the high voter turnout in the Arab community and claim suspicion of a "widespread national network" for rewarding voters. The letter also includes an unusual demand to invalidate the votes for Ra'am until the suspicions are clarified. The article notes that the suspicions are under investigation and all involved are presumed innocent.