Shin Bet Chief Refuses to Monitor Domestic Election Interference Efforts

The head of Israel's General Security Service, the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, has refused to assign the agency the task of monitoring domestic attempts to influence elections using technological tools. Bar stated that dealing with such activities falls outside the Shin Bet's mandate and authority, leading to the responsibility being transferred to the police, despite their lack of necessary technological capabilities.

This stance was revealed during recent high-level discussions involving senior officials from the Shin Bet, police, and Ministry of Justice. The meetings focused on preparing to counter attempts to undermine the integrity of Knesset elections, particularly organized social media campaigns utilizing fake accounts. The discussions specifically addressed the potential use of fake account networks by political or Israeli entities to spread disinformation and sway voters, alongside external interference efforts.

The police and Ministry of Justice initially believed the Shin Bet was best suited to monitor influence campaigns orchestrated by Israelis, citing its role in protecting democracy and its technological resources. However, Shin Bet representatives clarified Bar's position: the agency is not responsible for addressing "domestic entities," meaning Israeli citizens or groups operating within the country.

Consequently, responsibilities have been divided. The Shin Bet will continue to monitor foreign-attributed interference attempts, such as those from Iran and Russia. The police will handle influence campaigns originating from Israeli sources. However, the police reportedly lack sufficient technological capacity for this task and have sought assistance from technology companies to develop capabilities for monitoring suspicious online activity.

Bar's decision has drawn criticism from within law enforcement. A senior security official told Haaretz that Shin Bet officials "completely shirked responsibility, even though this is a classic task for the agency." Critics argue that the Shin Bet's mandate, as defined by law, includes preventing "illegal activity aimed at undermining state security, the democratic system, or its institutions."

This disagreement arises amid warnings from the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg, about potential attempts to influence the electoral process from both within and outside Israel. Sohlberg cautioned about foreign influences and warned that "various entities from within and outside are seeking to challenge us and sow division." He also highlighted the danger of fake accounts being used by domestic political actors to spread false messages, emphasizing the need for complete transparency in election advertising.