Likud Claims Election Was Stolen as Regional Tensions Rise Across Middle East
Netanyahu's party alleges Arab parties stole the vote after missing a majority, while Lebanon, Yemen, Iran and the Gulf see fresh security developments.
By Vanessa Lopez ·
Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party said on Wednesday that the Israeli election was "stolen" by Arab parties, after it fell short of the majority needed to form the next government. Ahmad Tibi, co-leader of the Arab Joint List party Hadash-Ta'al, rejected the claim in comments to Al Jazeera. He said "the accusations made by the Likud are merely the rhetoric of the defeated".
Also on Wednesday, the leader of a key Arab-led party said he was ready to cooperate with an opposition-led government to remove Netanyahu from power, but would not join such a coalition outright. His position came after the prime minister described any coalition involving Arab parties as "forbidden". Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party, said the Arab-led Ra'am party could be part of Israel's governing coalition.
On Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has warned several Gulf Arab states to prepare for a short but intense military offensive against Iran after the US midterm elections on 3 November. The report adds to concerns about escalation in the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran will stay in close contact with intermediaries to give diplomacy a chance, even as its armed forces remain ready to defend the country. Separately, the US military said claims in Iranian media that commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz were hitting sea mines were "false".
In southern Lebanon, the Israeli army struck the municipality of Deir Mimas. The strike followed an earlier warning to residents about a massive explosion near the town.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem issued a statement on Wednesday rejecting calls to disarm the group under a June framework agreement with Israel brokered by the United States. He described the demands as a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty.
In Yemen, air traffic was halted after Aden airport was targeted with two missiles. The attack followed an evacuation warning from the Houthis and caused injuries among civilians as well as material damage.
Source: Middle East Eye
