Netanyahu's Meeting with Police Chief Sparks Election Integrity Concerns

The Likud party stated on Sunday that a planned meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Police Commissioner Dani Levi is intended to discuss security threats, not election integrity. This clarification came amid a petition regarding the meeting and opposition from the Attorney General to a political discussion on matters within the purview of the Elections Committee chairman.

Likud asserted that the meeting with the Police Commissioner is a continuation of a security discussion held with all heads of the security establishment due to security threats, and not about election integrity. The party also invited the Chairman of the Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, to send a representative to the discussion.

However, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yisrael! Im Eisenkot" party, sharply criticized the summons of the Police Commissioner, accusing Netanyahu of attempting to undermine the election process. Eisenkot called the summons, occurring shortly before the elections, a "blatant violation of proper administration and a risk to election integrity" and a "dangerous intervention that must not be allowed."

Eisenkot demanded that Netanyahu and his associates refrain from interfering in the election campaign, vowing to oppose any such improper attempt. He also urged public servants to maintain their professional and ethical boundaries, stating their loyalty is to the state, not to the prime minister.

Earlier, Judge Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, ordered the Prime Minister and the Attorney General to respond to the petition concerning the meeting by 10:30 AM. The Attorney General's response indicated that regarding election management, maintaining order, and ensuring integrity, the police operate under the direction of the Elections Committee chairman, and political involvement in these matters is inappropriate.