Jerusalem, 1 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Police investigators from the Lahav 433 national crime unit will ask a court on Sunday to extend the detention of some suspects in an alleged election bribery scheme in the Negev involving Ra’am (United Arab List) during the October 27 Knesset elections, Israeli media reported.
The investigation centers on suspected attempts to buy votes for the Arab party. Three residents of Shaqib al-Salam and Ar’ara in the Negev were arrested on election day after police reportedly found envelopes containing tens of thousands of shekels in cash and voting slips in their homes.
Four additional suspects were arrested later in the week, most of whom have since been released. The detention of several central suspects was initially extended through November 1. Although their release had appeared likely, investigators have now decided to seek another extension, indicating that the investigation is continuing.
Ra’am has strongly denied wrongdoing, claiming its activists were unfairly targeted.
