Shin Bet says election investigation remains limited
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) said information on suspected voter fraud came from intelligence it collected on foreign influence, and not from “any political party or political actor on either side of the political map.”
The agency said Central Elections Committee chair Justice Noam Sohlberg was the only person outside the Shin Bet with access to the information before the elections concluded.
The investigation is ongoing. The Shin Bet said “any statements concerning the content or nature of the suspicions do not reflect the agency’s position.” Once the investigation ends, it will present its findings to Sohlberg, “who is the authorized decision-maker on this matter.”
The agency said it operates solely under its legal mandate, with all activities conducted by its professional personnel and legal advisers.
On his Telegram channel, Amit Segal reported suspicions that Qatar sent significant funds to Israel to influence the Arab vote, where turnout was notably high on Tuesday.
The Shin Bet said its investigation is “focused and limited in scope, and does not cast aspersions on or accuse an entire sector that went out to vote democratically and legally.”
“Only those who acted in violation of the law will be dealt with,” the agency said.
The agency confirmed that its director, David Zini, met over the past day with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot and opposition leader Yair Lapid to brief them personally on the main suspicions under investigation, with Sohlberg’s approval and at his request.
Feiglin seeks a freeze; Lapid says results need not be questioned
Feiglin called on Sohlberg to freeze the election results pending the Shin Bet’s findings and to call snap elections if the results were indeed compromised.
Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid said after meeting Zini at Shin Bet headquarters:
“Today, I spoke with Justice Solberg’s representatives on the Central Elections Committee and met with Shin Bet Director David Zini. Based on my familiarity with the relevant information, and with the agreement of the authorities handling the matter, there is no risk to or reason to question the election results, and there is no obstacle to swearing in the Knesset.”
Mansour Abbas’s deputy, Yoav Segalovitz, said:
“The matter must be investigated swiftly, and the truth must be uncovered as soon as possible. The party’s achievement in the elections is extremely significant and, in my view, reflects a clear call for partnership between Jews and Arabs alike.”
Yashar! with Eisenkot chairman Gadi Eisenkot accused Likud and Netanyahu of seeking to undermine the results:
“Likud and Netanyahu have launched a coordinated and organized campaign to delegitimize the election results. I will not allow even a one-centimeter deviation from the scheduled swearing-in of the Knesset.”
Eisenkot added:
“My teams are working to finalize preparations for submitting legislation for a vote when the Knesset session opens.”
“The days when Netanyahu used the institutions of government against Israel’s national interests and for his own personal benefit are over.”
“I intend to act as I always have—with composure and determination.”
In a phone message, Eisenkot said:
“I will work to fulfill the will of the people and establish a new government that is good for Israel.”
Qatar denies election interference
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman denied allegations that Doha interfered in Israel’s elections or funded efforts to influence the results. He accused Israeli politicians and media figures of spreading disinformation and using Qatar as a scapegoat for their political failures.
“First they accused Qatar of buying Netanyahu, then the Israeli left, and now the Arab vote. If these claims were true, Qatar would apparently own all of Israel,” he added.
