Shin Bet Chief Seeks to Investigate Arab Party Leaders for Election Interference

The head of the Shin Bet, David Zinai, has requested to investigate four senior politicians from Arab parties under caution, on suspicion of foreign interference in elections, i24NEWS reported Tuesday. The individuals reportedly include a senior Knesset member from the Arab parties, Ta'al chairman Ahmad Tibi, Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas, and Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh. Regarding the senior Knesset member, there is reportedly unanimous agreement that significant evidence exists, though their name cannot be legally disclosed at this time. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has demanded to see evidence against the Knesset members before approving their investigation, a step not yet taken for any of them except the senior member mentioned.

Separately, Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Noam Sohlberg, authorized Shin Bet chief Zinai to employ exceptional technological surveillance capabilities in the investigation of suspected foreign influence in the elections. This authorization came after Zinai insisted to Sohlberg that these suspicions should be classified as security offenses, not criminal ones, due to the involvement of foreign states. The Shin Bet has declined to specify who these capabilities were used against or how.

Sources told N12 that the Attorney General opposed Zinai's request, stating it was illegal and lacked supporting evidence, emphasizing the need for caution when using such technologies against Israeli citizens, even if they received money. Zinai, however, argued to Sohlberg that the Attorney General was obstructing the investigation.

The Attorney General's office stated that claims of delaying investigations are false and that actions are proceeding lawfully. The Shin Bet affirmed that all its operations are conducted legally and declined to comment on classified methods. Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas called attempts to tarnish the Arab public "unacceptable" and expressed readiness for any investigation, urging state authorities to respect the voters' decision and act responsibly towards all citizens.