Opposition Israeli Yesh Atid party leader Gadi Eisenkot said on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working to sabotage the elections scheduled for Tuesday and jeopardize their integrity. This comes after Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party, summoned Police Commissioner Dani Levi to a meeting regarding the agency's preparations for the elections, in an exceptional step, as the Central Elections Committee is responsible for the file.
Eisenkot added via the "X" platform that summoning the police commissioner to a meeting immediately before the elections, in a blatant violation of proper management rules, threatens the integrity of the elections. He addressed the prime minister, saying: "Netanyahu, immediately stop any participation or interference by you and your men in the electoral process. Do not dare to tamper with the integrity of the elections. We will stand as an impenetrable barrier against any such illegal attempt."
On his part, Yesh Atid addressed the State Attorney Gali Baharav Miara and the head of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Solberg, with an urgent request to stop Netanyahu's interference and cancel his meeting with the police commissioner. The request stated that Netanyahu is a candidate in the elections and bears no responsibility for the integrity of the electoral process; moreover, the police commissioner is not under his authority in this regard.
Later, Channel 12 reported that the meeting between Netanyahu and the police commissioner, attended by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, had already taken place, but via phone. It clarified that this came after the head of the Elections Committee informed Netanyahu and the petitioners that a settlement had been reached. According to Judge Solberg, "the petition was rejected following the prime minister's assurance that it was a phone call and not a meeting, and that issues of election preparations or integrity would not be discussed."
Opinion polls show the Jewish opposition camp leading Netanyahu's camp, without a majority allowing for the formation of a government, unless either aligns with Palestinian parties in the Knesset. Palestinians represent more than 20 percent of Israel's population, which has exceeded 10 million. Netanyahu and Eisenkot agree on rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, despite UN resolutions stipulating it under the two-state solution principle. Israel and its ally, the United States, refuse to recognize a Palestinian state, and Washington uses its veto power in the Security Council to prevent Palestine from gaining "full membership."
Political Context
Netanyahu is the longest-serving Israeli prime minister, having led the current government since late 2022, described as the most right-wing government in the history of Israel, established in 1948 on occupied Palestinian lands. Eisenkot continued, addressing opposition voters: "Only Yesh Atid, much larger than Likud, will provide the full and necessary legitimacy to save Israel and replace Netanyahu."
Warnings to Employees
Eisenkot concluded: "I address all loyal public service employees: We are facing a decisive week. Your loyalty is to the state, not to the ruler. In the coming days, they will try to challenge you and test your professional and value boundaries." Netanyahu has frequently used the security file in recent periods to "frighten" Israelis, including regarding a potential Iranian attack, according to Israeli media.
International Recognition
Of the 193 member states of the United Nations, 160 recognize the State of Palestine, which is a member of more than a hundred international organizations and treaties, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The United States uses its veto power in the Security Council to prevent Palestine from gaining "full membership," rather than the "non-member observer state" status it has held since 2012.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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