MK Ahmad Tibi reveals messages from Netanyahu aide amid election dispute

MK Ahmad Tibi disclosed WhatsApp messages from a Netanyahu associate, accusing the premier of privately seeking Arab lawmakers' support while publicly attacking Arab parties. Likud denied the allegations.

Joint List MK Ahmad Tibi revealed messages during a Channel 12 interview on Friday that he said he received from Natan Eshel, a longtime associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Tibi accused Netanyahu of privately seeking Arab lawmakers' help to thwart moves by Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot's bloc while publicly attacking cooperation with Arab parties. Tibi said he decided to disclose the messages after hearing Netanyahu's November 10 Knesset speech accusing Arab parties of involvement in "stealing" the election. Tibi also said a minister from Netanyahu's government approached him this week, urging him not to support an Eisenkot-led government and to push for another election. Likud rejected the allegations as "a complete lie." The disclosure follows separate reports that Eshel contacted Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas before and after the election. Tibi attributed the increase in Arab voter turnout to anger at the government and incitement against Arab citizens.