Ben-Gvir urges Shin Bet to arrest Arab party leaders over alleged Qatari funding

Right · 2Israel's national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called on Thursday 29 October 2026 for the arrest of the leaders of Arab parties, citing suspected foreign funding. 1 2 Right · 1In a post on X, he said Shin Bet must order the arrests "already this morning" of party heads suspected of involvement in Qatari money. 1 Right · 1According to the Jerusalem Post's translation, he also named other suspects in the case, including figures in the Muslim Brotherhood and its offshoots, and added the condition "provided there is a legal basis for their arrest". 2

Right · 1AFP described the accusations as unproven, saying several ministers have claimed the parties took money from Qatar. 1 Right · 1AFP reported that the Arab parties could be kingmakers because neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor the opposition bloc secured a majority. 1 Right · 1The Jerusalem Post reported that Shin Bet opened its investigation after a directive from Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg, who cited "severe suspicions" of improper influence through foreign funding by entities acting against Israeli interests. 2

Right · 1Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said he was in contact with the relevant officials and that Israel must protect election integrity and investigate every complaint thoroughly. 2 Right · 1Eisenkot also said political actors must not be allowed to exploit the situation to influence the date of the 26th Knesset's swearing-in. 2 Right · 1The Jerusalem Post described the story as developing; neither report says any arrests have been made or names the party leaders concerned. 2