Israeli opposition accuses Netanyahu of attempting a coup after election defeat

Summary

Israeli opposition figures and commentators accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting a coup after his election defeat, saying he is using the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency to undermine the result and retain power. More than a week after results showed the Netanyahu-led bloc trailing the opposition, Shin Bet chief David Zini is reportedly leading investigations into the Palestinian vote. The inquiries have raised allegations of voting fraud, bribery and foreign interference, though no evidence has been made public. The investigations coincide with Netanyahu's campaign to delegitimise the Palestinian-led parties Ra'am and the Joint List, which together secured an unprecedented 19 seats in the Knesset. On Tuesday the Shin Bet arrested Middle East Eye contributor Abd Abu Shahadeh, citing a "security-related investigation", and Israeli media reported that Zini also wants Ahmad Tibi, Sami Abou Shahadeh, Mansour Abbas and Ayman Odeh questioned. Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democrats party, warned that Israeli democracy was under threat and said the outgoing government refuses to recognise the election results.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   5 Nov 2026, 15:07 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Israeli politicians and commentators accuse Netanyahu of attempting a coup by using the Shin Bet to overturn his election defeat, as Shin Bet chief David Zini leads investigations into the Palestinian vote, which Middle East Eye says have raised unevidenced fraud, bribery and foreign interference allegations.