Shin Bet Investigates Knesset Members for Suspected Foreign Funding

A Joint List official told i24NEWS on Sunday that no Knesset members from the list have been investigated, refuting reports on Israeli channels about probes into lawmakers suspected of receiving foreign funds to influence elections. Channel 12 reported that a limited number of Knesset members were questioned recently, with one member suspected of receiving a specific sum. The Shin Bet is examining the source, purpose, and origin of the funds, and has not yet determined if it constitutes electoral bribery. The Shin Bet is expanding its investigation, with the Mossad also participating, to assess the scope of the issue, and anticipates questioning additional Knesset members. While Qatar's name surfaced in the investigation, it is not central, and the suspected amounts are significantly less than reported, not in the tens of millions of shekels, according to sources familiar with the probe who described the claims as greatly exaggerated. Sources from the Central Elections Committee stated last week that the information under review does not affect election results and dismissed claims of systematic bias or election theft as political exploitation. Separately, Shin Bet head David Zini faced criticism for briefing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the matter before informing the head of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, who was unaware that Zini had already met with Netanyahu. In a separate case unrelated to foreign interference, three activists from the United Arab List were arrested. A court released one activist, a doctor, unconditionally, while another was placed under house arrest, contrary to police requests. The third activist, found with envelopes of cash, had his detention extended by only one day, despite police seeking an eight-day extension.