Bribery Accusations Fuel the Battle: Netanyahu Ignites Election with 'Cash Envelopes' Card

After casting his vote on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Israel's Arab parties, warning that they are "trying to steal the election."

Netanyahu, who has consistently targeted Arab parties in Israel, stated that three senior officials from the United Arab List (Ra'am) were arrested in the south of the country, found in possession of envelopes filled with cash, according to "AFP".

He added: "We cannot leave this battle in the hands of the left and the Arab parties who want to put an end to the Jewish state."

Netanyahu urged voters to head to the polls, saying: "No barbecues, no trips to the beach, but go to polling stations and vote for Likud."

The United Arab List, which secured five seats in the previous Israeli parliament, could play a pivotal role in forming the next government if the right-wing and opposition blocs remain closely matched in seat count.

For his part, Acting Director-General of the Central Elections Committee, Dean Levin, said during a press conference on Tuesday that the incident was "unusual".

He added: "Police caught individuals trying to bribe voters, even before they reached the polling stations."

According to Levin, the three individuals, whose identities have not been disclosed, were not inside the polling stations but were arrested near their homes, noting that the case remains under investigation.

He added that "this is a localized case confined to a specific area".

Meanwhile, leader of the opposition Yesh Atid party, Gadi Eisenkot, warned that the Prime Minister is preparing to challenge the results of Tuesday's elections by claiming there were attempts to falsify them.

He added: "We must advance significantly ahead of the Likud party; only then will there be no room to raise doubts about the results."

The Israeli police confirmed in a statement the arrest of three people overnight on suspicion of attempting to buy voter votes for the "Ra'am" party.

In its statement, it said: "Investigators from the Southern District seized more than 24,000 shekels (approximately $7,900) in cash, including pre-prepared envelopes containing money, along with written notes, during searches of the suspects' homes."

The police attached a photo of envelopes to the statement, at least one of which bore a person's name and the phrase "Congratulations," while other envelopes carried the inscription "A gift from the Islamic Movement," and some displayed only the value of the amounts contained within.

In a related context, as voting began, opposition parties, including Gadi Eisenkot's party, Netanyahu's main rival, complained that their ballot papers had been defaced and stolen inside polling centers.

The "Times of Israel" newspaper quoted the Central Elections Committee as saying: "Contrary to claims circulating online, there are currently no indications of systematic tampering with ballot papers."

It added: "Reports regarding this matter are being handled immediately."