Israel's Attorney General Criticizes Shin Bet Chief Over Investigation Tactics
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Attorney General issued a rare, strong statement Tuesday criticizing Shin Bet head David Zini, stating investigations require evidence. She noted the Shin Bet has withheld materials from a special investigative team for two days. This comes as Gadi Eisenkot sent a message to Zini regarding his reported desire to classify election influence probes as security offenses and question Arab party leaders. Mansour Abbas defended himself and the Arab public, stating readiness for investigation under legal guidance.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Attorney General Baharav-Miara stated investigations require evidence, criticizing Shin Bet head Zini.
- Shin Bet has withheld investigation materials for two days, delaying a special team's work.
- Gadi Eisenkot warned against using authority for political considerations in investigations.
- Shin Bet head Zini reportedly wants to classify election influence probes as security offenses.
- Zini also reportedly requested to question Arab party leaders Mansour Abbas, Sami Abu Shehadeh, and Ahmad Tibi.
- Mansour Abbas stated readiness for investigation and demanded respect for voters' decisions.
Attorney General issued a sharp, unusual statement Tuesday evening asserting that "in a state of law, citizens or public officials cannot be investigated without evidence justifying it." She invited the Shin Bet or any other entity to present any evidence that warrants an investigation. Baharav-Miara emphasized that while anyone who needs to be investigated will be, people will not be investigated without an evidentiary basis. She also revealed that the Shin Bet has not transferred investigation materials for two days to a special investigative team formed at the recommendation of Justice Solberg, in cooperation with the police and under the accompaniment of the prosecution, thereby delaying the handling of the matter. The law enforcement system is working quickly and professionally to uncover the truth based on the available material, and investigation decisions will be made accordingly.
Meanwhile, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, sent a message to Shin Bet head David Zini following a Ynet report about Zini's desire to broadly classify the investigation into suspected foreign influence on elections as a security offense. This comes amid reports of Zini's request to question Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas, Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, Ta'al chairman Ahmad Tibi, and another senior Knesset member from an Arab party as part of the investigation. Eisenkot stated, "Servants of the security system, law enforcement, and public service in Israel are servants of the kingdom, not the king." He added, "Woe to him who corrupts his authority and role for political considerations."
Mansour Abbas commented, "The attempt to tarnish the Arab public is reprehensible. I and all Ra'am members do not fear any investigation and are ready to appear before all law enforcement authorities, in accordance with the directives of the Attorney General and the justice system, which have proven time and again that they are subject to the law and not to other political factors." He demanded that state authorities respect the voters' decision and act with statehood and responsibility towards all citizens, upholding the law and the order of governance.
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