Shin Bet Addresses Election Interference Probe, Denies Political Involvement
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Israel's Shin Bet security agency stated that information regarding alleged foreign interference in elections does not come from any political party. The intelligence was gathered as part of the agency's mission to detect foreign influence, and only the Elections Committee chairman was privy to it before the vote concluded. The Shin Bet updated Prime Minister Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot, and Yair Lapid on the suspicions, emphasizing that only those acting illegally will be addressed. A senior Elections Committee official noted that proven foreign influence would not alter the results.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet denies election interference information originated from any political party.
- Intelligence gathered was part of the agency's mission to detect foreign influence.
- Only Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg was privy to the information before vote conclusion.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot, and Yair Lapid were briefed on suspicions.
- Shin Bet assures investigation is focused and will not tarnish democratic voters.
- Proven foreign influence would not alter the election results, according to an official.
Israel's Shin Bet security agency addressed the investigation into alleged foreign interference in the elections for the first time on Thursday, clarifying that the information "does not originate from a party or political entity on one side or the other of the political map." According to the Shin Bet, the source of the information was intelligence gathered as part of the agency's mission to detect foreign influence.
Beyond the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, no external party was exposed to the information until the elections concluded. The Shin Bet stated that the investigation is ongoing and that "any statement regarding the content or nature of the suspicions is not on behalf of the Shin Bet, and it would have been appropriate to refrain from it." Upon completion, the findings will be presented to the Elections Committee chairman, who is authorized to make a decision on the matter, "fully, transparently, and without interpretation."
The Shin Bet emphasized that this is a "focused and defined" investigation and "does not cast a shadow or accuse an entire sector that went out to vote democratically and legally. Only those who acted contrary to the law will be dealt with." The agency also reported that with the approval and at the request of the Elections Committee chairman, the head of the Shin Bet personally updated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid Chairman Gadi Eisenkot, and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid on the main suspicions in the last 24 hours.
On election day itself, the head of the Shin Bet referred to the integrity of the elections and praised the Central Elections Committee, stating, "Fortunately, it is proceeding well so far, but it is not a given." The following day, the Likud party issued a formal statement accusing Arab parties of "stealing the elections" and demanding a thorough investigation by the police and the Shin Bet.
A senior official in the Elections Committee indicated that even if the suspicion of foreign influence is proven true, it would not change the election results.
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