Arab Parties Denounce Shin Bet Chief's Probe Into Election Interference

The Joint List coalition condemned on Tuesday evening the efforts by Shin Bet Director David Zini to investigate leaders of Arab parties over alleged foreign interference in the Knesset elections. The coalition stated that these actions are part of a Likud-led campaign to incite against the Arab community and delegitimize its vote and political representation. In a statement, the Joint List asserted that Zini had "crossed all boundaries" and vowed not to allow the Arab public's decision and vote to be transformed into a security threat. The coalition accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to cling to power by delegitimizing the Arab community, which participated in large numbers in the elections and voted against his government's continuation. They further claimed that Zini, appointed by Netanyahu, is acting as a political operative in his service, and that the investigation requests against Arab representatives are aimed at influencing the political impact of the Arab vote. The Joint List emphasized that they will not permit Netanyahu and Zini to turn the votes of hundreds of thousands of Arab citizens into a security threat, nor their elected representatives into suspects. They stressed that the Arab public does not need Netanyahu's or the Shin Bet chief's approval to influence its political future, having already "had its say at the ballot box." The coalition affirmed its commitment to the Arab community's full right to influence and decide political matters, and to continue working to replace the Netanyahu government. This statement follows Israeli media reports that Zini requested to investigate Arab leaders, including a senior deputy whose name was not revealed, Ahmed Tibi, Mansour Abbas, and Sami Abu Shehadeh, despite law enforcement assessments that there was insufficient evidence for interrogation. Concurrently, Legal Advisor to the Government Gali Baharav-Miara confirmed that the Shin Bet had not handed over investigation materials to the police for two days, delaying joint investigation procedures. She stressed that citizens or elected officials should not be interrogated without an evidentiary basis.