Likud accuses Palestinian figure Dahlan of election interference, demands criminal probe

Likud claims the "real scandal" is foreign interference in Israel's elections, alleging that Mohammed Dahlan, a senior Palestinian figure based in the UAE, orchestrated a false report in Haaretz. The party claims Dahlan, who formed a joint list with Hamas for PA elections, seeks to topple Netanyahu's government to gain control of Gaza through a weak left-wing coalition. Likud alleges journalist Shlomi Eldar received payment from a nonprofit linked to Yair Golan's Democrats party to spread the false story, and questions whether Golan and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's secret UAE visit two months ago is connected. The party demands criminal investigations against Eldar, Haaretz, Golan, and the Democrats party for suspected election interference coordinated with foreign actors.