Israel's Attorney General Cautions Against Politician Investigations Without Evidence

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated that investigations into citizens or elected officials must be based on evidence, urging the Shin Bet and any other entity with information on foreign interference in elections to present it. This directive comes amid controversy over requests to interrogate Arab politicians in connection with alleged foreign meddling. Baharav-Miara emphasized that investigations will only proceed if evidence warrants them, and cannot be initiated based on misinformation or unsubstantiated suspicions. She also noted that the Shin Bet has been withholding investigation materials for two days from a special investigative team formed at the recommendation of Acting Chief Justice Noam Sohlberg, which she believes is delaying the case's progress. Baharav-Miara affirmed that law enforcement is working diligently to uncover the truth based on available evidence and that decisions will be guided by this evidence.

The controversy arose following recent Israeli elections, where the increased representation of Arab parties, coinciding with higher participation in Arab communities, sparked debate about potential foreign interference. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an investigation into these suspicions, while simultaneously facing accusations and warnings that such claims could be politically exploited against Arab citizens and their representatives. Media reports indicated that Shin Bet head David Zini sought to question four Arab politicians, including Mansour Abbas, Ahmad Tibi, and Sami Abu Shehadeh, over alleged links to foreign interference. However, the Attorney General reiterated the necessity of evidence before any investigative decisions are made, especially as the alleged suspicions remain unproven and no involvement by the named politicians has been confirmed.