Shin Bet Clarifies Investigation Into Suspected Foreign Election Interference
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
The Shin Bet has clarified its investigation into suspected illegal foreign interference in the 26th Knesset elections, stemming from intelligence gathering. The agency stated the investigation is ongoing, targeted, and findings will be presented to the Central Elections Committee Chairman. The Shin Bet head briefed the Prime Minister and opposition leaders on the suspicions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet is investigating suspected illegal foreign interference and funding in the 26th Knesset elections.
- The investigation's suspicions arose from the Shin Bet's own intelligence gathering, not from political parties.
- No one outside the Shin Bet had access to the information before the elections concluded.
- The Shin Bet stated the investigation is targeted and will only affect those who broke the law.
- The head of the Shin Bet briefed Prime Minister Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot, and Yair Lapid on the suspicions.
The Shin Bet has issued a statement clarifying its investigation into suspected illegal foreign interference in the 26th Knesset elections, including allegations of foreign funding and voter bribery. The clarification follows reports and a request from Central Elections Committee Chairman, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, to investigate these suspicions.
The Shin Bet emphasized that the suspicions arose from intelligence gathering conducted within its legal mandate to identify foreign influence. This information was not provided by any political party or figure. Apart from Justice Sohlberg, no one outside the Shin Bet had access to this information before the elections concluded.
The agency stressed that the investigation is ongoing and any statements about its nature or content are unofficial and do not represent the Shin Bet's position. They urged against making such statements. The findings will be presented to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee upon completion of the investigation.
The Shin Bet also stated that the investigation is targeted and limited to individuals directly involved, not casting doubt on the integrity of any population group that participated in the democratic process. Measures will only be taken against those who violated the law.
With the permission and at the request of the Central Elections Committee Chairman, the head of the Shin Bet personally briefed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot, and Opposition leader Yair Lapid on the main suspicions under investigation.
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