Dhaka, Oct. 29 -- Benjamin Netanyahu alleged on Thursday, without providing evidence, that Arab parties' record gains in an election this week were driven in part by voter fraud, a charge rejected by Arab leaders who accused the premier of incitement.

The allegation represents an escalation of anti-Arab rhetoric by Netanyahu and his far-right partners after high Arab turnout in a national ballot on Tuesday effectively blocked a smooth path to power for either him or his main Jewish rivals.

Israeli election officials said on Thursday that there was a probe into fraud allegations, though the election's integrity was not "systematically compromised."

Analysts and critics say that by stepping up attacks on Arab parties, Netanyahu may be tr...