Lawmaker claims Iran, Turkey plotting regime change in Israel

An Israeli lawmaker, Amit​ Halevi, on Monday accused Iran and Turkey of attempting to effect “regime change” in Jerusalem by influencing the forthcoming elections.

​Legislative elections ​are ​slated for October 27 to elect all 120 members of the 26th Knesset.​ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu​ leads Likud, the largest right-wing nationalist party.

​In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Halevi sounded the alarm about what he called sophisticated foreign intervention in Israel’s domestic process.

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Although the country uses paper ballots, the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee member insists foreign actors can still influence poll results. 

Halevi noted that the measures being used by adversaries to manipulate the Israeli electorate include exploiting the digital space and financial leverage.

He expressed concern about the activities and funding by “foreign countries and the European Union” disbursed through Israeli non-governmental organizations.

Halevi declared that Iran and Turkey are the two countries with “open, undisguised aspirations to set the agenda” in the Middle East and beyond the region.

“The two have a part in this context of attempts to influence the elections in Israel,” he said. “Both are bitter enemies and have detailed plans for the destruction of Israel.”