Mossad Joins Shin Bet in Probing Alleged Election Interference
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
The Mossad is now assisting the Shin Bet in investigating alleged foreign interference, including Qatari funding, in Israel's elections. Central Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg was briefed and authorized an investigation into foreign funding and bribery. Key political leaders, including the Prime Minister and opposition leaders, have been updated on the intelligence. The Shin Bet stressed that the investigation is focused and will not cast aspersions on any community.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Mossad joins Shin Bet in investigating alleged foreign interference in Israeli elections.
- Qatar is suspected of funding efforts to boost Arab community voter turnout.
- Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg authorized a probe into foreign funding and bribery.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu and opposition leaders were briefed on the intelligence.
- Shin Bet assures investigation is focused and will not target entire communities.
The Mossad intelligence agency is joining the Shin Bet in investigating suspicions of foreign interference in Israel's recent elections, with a particular focus on Qatar's alleged funding of efforts to increase voter turnout in the Arab community. The Mossad's involvement is expected to assist in examining potential involvement from additional countries beyond Qatar.
Information obtained by N12 indicates that the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, was briefed on intelligence received by the Shin Bet. The head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, sought Sohlberg's approval to present the information to the Prime Minister, and subsequently met with Sohlberg to provide a comprehensive overview. Following this meeting, Sohlberg decided to issue a letter directing Zini to open an investigation into allegations of foreign funding and election bribery by Qatar.
The Shin Bet clarified that the intelligence was gathered as part of its legal mandate to identify foreign influence and did not originate from any political party or figure. The agency emphasized that only individuals involved in illegal activities would be subject to investigation, and that the findings would be presented transparently to the Elections Committee leadership after the investigation concludes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Head of the opposition party Yesh Atid Gadi Eisenkot, and Leader of the opposition Yair Lapid were personally updated on the matter by Zini, at Sohlberg's request. Lapid stated that based on his knowledge of the material, there is no question about the election results and no impediment to swearing in the Knesset.
Separately, Member of Knesset Vladimir Belyak of the Hatnua party had requested a confidential meeting of the Elections Committee presidency to discuss the matter. However, Acting Chairman Dean Livneh denied the request, stating that to his knowledge, the claims of systematic damage to election integrity were unfounded and that a meeting was inappropriate given the classified nature of the ongoing investigation.
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