Israeli elections committee ratifies Knesset results, finds no fraud despite Netanyahu allegations

Israel's Central Elections Committee has ratified the 26th Knesset election results, saying its audit found no violations affecting the vote's integrity.

• The committee approved the results Wednesday by 15 votes to 2, with 14 abstentions, after reviewing more than 9,000 ballot boxes.
• Acting committee chair Dean Livni said the review found no evidence supporting claims that the results were void.
• President Isaac Herzog began consultations Wednesday with parties to choose a candidate to form the next government.
• National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir demanded the results and government formation be frozen, saying the election had been "stolen in Israel."
• Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg cast the deciding vote to certify the results, warning that doubts over them pose a real danger to Israeli democracy.
• The ratified results left Netanyahu's bloc with 53 seats versus 48 for Eisenkot's faction, while Arab parties won 19.
• Netanyahu's office tried to persuade United Torah Judaism rabbis to recommend him as formateur, but they have so far refused.