As Israel braces for interference in its upcoming election—with Iran marking it as a major strategic target—Turkey is now deploying similar efforts, pouring massive budgets into directly influencing Israel’s election results.
Following reports that the election would be a prime target for Israel’s enemies, officials say Turkey is investing huge sums to interfere in the vote and sway the outcome.
On the table: efforts to pressure Arab parties to unite and campaigns to boost Arab voter turnout, operating through various nonprofits and organizations both abroad and in Israel. Following the revelations about Turkish interference, Knesset Member Amit Halevi—a Likud representative on the Central Elections Committee and member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee—responded.
Halevi charged that the Iranians and Turks are working to sabotage the Knesset elections to bring down Netanyahu and the right and bring the left to power. He stressed that “this isn’t speculation—we have clear indications,” and said they’re working to thwart any such attempt to protect the ballot and the sovereignty of Israeli citizens.