Israel Investigates Suspected Foreign Interference in Elections

The Shin Bet is investigating suspicions of foreign interference in recent elections, focusing on allegations that hundreds of thousands of shekels were transferred from Qatar to an entity associated with the Joint List party. The investigation aims to determine if this money was used for campaign activities, to energize activists, or potentially to pay voters. This information was known to Shin Bet head David Zinai when he stated on Tuesday that the elections were conducted admirably and under supervision. Similarly, Dean Livneh, acting director general of the Election Committee, affirmed there was no suspicion of systematic damage to the integrity of the elections. The Shin Bet, responsible for thwarting threats to electoral integrity, decided to continue its investigation without immediate intervention, as no immediate suspicion of damage requiring counter-action arose.

Election Committee officials reported that Solberg received an update on the matter from Zinai on Wednesday. Following this, Solberg issued a letter urging a thorough investigation and prompt reporting of findings due to the need to publish official results.

In a separate investigation, the Lahav 433 fraud squad is looking into three Ra'am activists arrested overnight between Monday and Tuesday with envelopes of cash. They are suspected of using the money to pay voters, and their detention has been extended until Sunday. Currently, investigators are reportedly skeptical about having sufficient criminal evidence to prove the money was intended for vote-buying rather than other purposes, such as paying activists.

Four additional suspects named in the investigation were arrested on Thursday morning and released to house arrest later that afternoon. Despite these investigations, a senior Election Committee official stated that the Shin Bet's inquiry would not alter the election results. Meanwhile, the Likud party claimed that "Arab parties stole the elections."