Netanyahu claims 'serious concerns' of foreign spending to sway Israeli election

The largest Arab-Israeli bloc on Wednesday denounced "political persecution", after one of its lawmakers was accused of accepting foreign money before last week's national Israeli election, which saw the community turned out in record numbers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on accusations of foreign interference in the October 27 vote. "There are serious suspicions that foreign states have spent considerable sums to influence the outcome of the elections in Israel," Netanyahu said in a video, speaking in front of an Israeli flag and the slogan "Prime Minister's Office". The premier and his far-right allies have gone on the offensive against Arab-Israeli politicians, who could put main opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot in the top seat if they team up. Read moreIsrael's President Herzog accepts certified election results, urges compromise to form government "The targeting of Ayman Odeh is political persecution, and we will not allow the Arab public's vote to be delegitimised," the Joint List – a coalition of three Arab-Israeli parties – said in a statement. "Netanyahu is clinging to power and refusing to acknowledge the will of Arab citizens who voted overwhelmingly aga...