Likud Demands Probe into Alleged Foreign Interference in Israeli Elections

The Likud party has formally requested that the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, investigate suspicions of foreign interference in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. The complaint, filed by attorney Ilan Bombach, cites a report alleging that diplomatic representatives from foreign nations have been meeting with Haredi political figures to explore the possibility of their joining a government led by Gadi Eisenkot.

According to the report, these diplomats, from countries friendly with Israel, initiated contact with Haredi political actors. Their objective was to assess the feasibility of Haredi parties joining an Eisenkot-led coalition. This initiative reportedly stems from an assessment that a government relying on Arab party support would be unstable, potentially paving the way for Benjamin Netanyahu's return to power. The diplomats sought to determine if Haredi backing could enable Eisenkot to form a more stable government.

During these discussions, the foreign representatives also inquired about the rabbinical authorities who make decisions within the Haredi parties and their stances on policy issues. Haredi representatives reportedly stated that their parties do not hold messianic views, do not support settlements in Gaza, Lebanon, or Syria, and do not advocate for expanding settlements in Judea and Samaria. They also indicated that Haredi parties would likely not obstruct a political settlement in Judea and Samaria, with final decisions resting with pragmatic rabbis.

Likud is now seeking an examination of whether these contacts exceed legitimate diplomatic discourse and constitute an attempt to influence the composition of the future Israeli government and the democratic process. A copy of the complaint was also sent to the head of the Shin Bet, David Zinni.