Central Elections Committee: Shin Bet Probe Won't Affect Knesset Results
Acting CEC Director Dean Livne stated that the Shin Bet probe into alleged Qatari bribery will not impact the 26th Knesset election results. Meanwhile, the committee finalized the vote count, with Likud winning 27 mandates.
Acting Director-General of the Central Elections Committee, Dean Livne, addressed the Shin Bet security investigation launched following classified intelligence amid reports of suspected bribery involving Qatar.
Livne clarified that the reports published throughout the day are unfounded, emphasizing that the probe does not target any specific sector and will not affect the results of the 26th Knesset elections.
According to Livne, Shin Bet Director David Zini presented classified information to Central Elections Committee Chairman, Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg, prompting the investigation. With Solberg's approval, the main points were also presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and Gadi Eizenkot.
"The circle of secrecy surrounding this intelligence is extremely limited and restricted to high security clearance," Livne stressed. He added that the investigation is proceeding alongside the committee's work and will not impact the final results submitted to the president.
Final Election Results and Voter Turnout
Meanwhile, the Central Elections Committee announced the completion of vote counting for external envelopes and preliminary checks of regular polling stations.
A total of 5,716,665 eligible voters cast their ballots in the 26th Knesset elections, bringing voter turnout to 77.9 percent. Valid votes totaled 5,690,778, while 25,887 ballots were disqualified. The electoral threshold stood at 184,947 votes, with 11 lists successfully entering parliament.
According to the final tally, Likud secured 27 mandates, Yesh Atid won 21, BeYachad obtained 12, and the Joint List received 11. The Democrats and Ra'am each won eight mandates, Otzma Yehudit and United Torah Judaism secured seven mandates each, while Yisrael Beytenu, Shas, and Religious Zionism each received six mandates.
Livne noted that verification of the results will continue in the coming days, including re-checking polling stations and reviewing public appeals. The official results are scheduled to be submitted to the president on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
