Former Shin Bet Chief Yoram Cohen Faces Bid to Disqualify Knesset Candidacy

A dramatic legal challenge has been filed with the Central Elections Committee seeking to disqualify Yoram Cohen, former head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and a candidate for the "Yashar" party, from running in the upcoming Knesset elections. The petition, submitted by "Amiram's Justice Committee," argues that Cohen's alleged approval of harsh interrogation methods, including torture, during his tenure as Shin Bet chief renders him unfit for public office.

The core of the petition centers on Cohen's alleged role in the 2015 investigation into the Duma village arson attack. Petitioners claim Cohen authorized the use of "special means," which they define as torture, against the main suspect, Amiram Ben-Oliad, and a minor. They assert these methods were employed without evidence of an immediate threat and in violation of legal conditions, specifically the "ticking bomb" exception. The petition further alleges that Cohen misled judicial officials about the urgency of the security situation to gain approval for physical pressure tactics, and that investigators were held in isolation for 17 days without legal counsel.

Beyond the Duma case, the petition cites other instances, including the interrogations of Khalil Namri and Ashraf Salameh in connection with a planned attack in Eilat. Petitioners contend that in this case, which reportedly ended in a mistaken identification, harsh interrogation tactics and improper physical pressure were also used, suggesting a pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents.

Based on these claims, the petitioners are asking the Elections Committee to disqualify Cohen under Basic Law: The Knesset, arguing his actions contradict the state's Jewish and democratic character and severely violate human dignity and the rule of law. Attorney Zehava Galon, representing the petitioners, stated that Cohen, as the head of the agency during these alleged actions, is unfit to serve in Israel's legislature.