Elections Committee Official Rejects Urgent Meeting on Foreign Interference Claims
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
Acting Director-General Dean Livna of the Central Elections Committee rejected a request for an urgent meeting by MK Vladimir Beliak concerning alleged foreign interference in elections. Livna stated the elections were lawful and the information is highly classified. Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg had previously ordered Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate the suspicions based on sensitive, classified information. Beliak expressed concern about learning of the investigation through the media and demanded a confidential meeting to review evidence.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Elections Committee official rejected urgent meeting on foreign interference claims due to classified information.
- Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg ordered Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate election integrity suspicions.
- Acting Director-General Dean Livna asserted that the elections were conducted lawfully.
- MK Vladimir Beliak expressed dismay at learning of the investigation through the media.
- Beliak requested a confidential meeting to review evidence of foreign interference and other alleged violations.
The Acting Director-General of the Central Elections Committee, Dean Livna, responded on Thursday to a request by Knesset Member Vladimir Beliak for an urgent meeting regarding suspicions of foreign interference in the elections. Livna stated that the Knesset elections were conducted lawfully and that the integrity of the vote at polling stations was meticulously maintained. He explained that the committee chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, had requested the Shin Bet chief to investigate due to sensitive classified information that raised suspicions requiring further examination for evidence.
Livna denied Beliak's request to convene the committee's presidency on the matter, citing an ongoing investigation and the highly classified nature of the information. Beliak had previously written to Sohlberg, expressing his dismay at learning about the referral to the Shin Bet through the media, despite his role as deputy chairman and presidency member. Beliak demanded an immediate, confidential meeting of the committee's presidency to review relevant evidence and additional information concerning potential damage to election integrity.
Beliak also referenced a police clarification stating that, contrary to claims by some political figures, there was no evidence of systematic damage to election integrity, and that election day had fewer incidents than the previous one. He further questioned whether Sohlberg had been presented with other allegations, such as alleged illicit propaganda by the Likud party via Channel 14, or improper use of public funds by the Shas and Religious Zionism parties.
Earlier on Thursday, Sohlberg had instructed Shin Bet head David Zini to open an investigation into the suspicions. Sohlberg wrote that it was necessary to use the Shin Bet's authorities to find evidence to substantiate or refute the suspicions, thereby ensuring public trust in the electoral process and democratic integrity.
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