Shin Bet Expands Knesset Member Investigation to Lahav 433
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
The Shin Bet is expanding its investigation into several Knesset members, bringing in the Lahav 433 police unit. This follows a dispute with the Attorney General over the evidentiary basis for questioning lawmakers, particularly those from Arab parties. The Shin Bet suspects a broad phenomenon of foreign funding and influence in elections, but the Attorney General insists on concrete evidence before approving further interrogations. The investigation is ongoing, with a joint team from the Shin Bet and police now expected to include Lahav 433 personnel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet is bringing Lahav 433 into the investigation of Knesset members.
- The Attorney General insists on evidentiary basis for all investigations.
- Shin Bet suspects widespread foreign funding and influence in elections.
- More Knesset members are expected to be questioned in the coming days.
- A joint investigation team includes Shin Bet, police, and prosecutors.
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is bringing the Lahav 433 national fraud and serious crimes unit into the investigation of several Knesset members, with more lawmakers expected to be questioned. A security official stated that the Shin Bet is not influenced by pressure and is determined to operate professionally and legally. The Shin Bet had previously requested to question several Knesset members, but approval was not granted at that stage, leading the matter to be deferred.
However, the investigation is set to continue with the police's Lahav 433 unit joining in the coming days. The investigation will be conducted under the supervision of the State Prosecutor's Office and the Attorney General. The security official indicated that the Shin Bet's actions are based on intelligence gathered so far, and further steps are needed to deepen the inquiry and solidify suspicions. The involvement of Lahav 433 is contingent on necessary approvals.
The request to investigate four senior figures, reportedly including Arab party leaders, has led to a dispute with the Attorney General. While a written opinion detailing suspicions was provided for one Knesset member, justifying an investigation, the requests for the other three were made verbally without sufficient evidence. The Attorney General has demanded to see the evidence before approving further investigations, but has not yet received the necessary materials.
Despite the dispute, a joint investigation team involving the Shin Bet and the police, with the accompaniment of the State Prosecutor's Office, was agreed upon. However, the Attorney General's office stated that the Shin Bet has not transferred the gathered investigation materials to the joint team for two days, causing delays. The security official now estimates that Lahav 433 personnel will join the investigation shortly.
The Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, issued an unusual statement emphasizing that investigations of public officials, like any citizen, require evidentiary basis. She asserted that no one will be investigated without sufficient evidence and invited any party with such evidence to present it. The statement also noted the delay in transferring materials to the joint team, which hinders the process.
The background to the dispute involves intelligence gathered by the Shin Bet concerning suspicions of foreign funding and undue influence on election campaigns. The Shin Bet reported suspicions of a broad phenomenon involving significant funds from foreign countries, potentially from hostile entities, aimed at promoting foreign influence. The intelligence suggests this could involve thousands of people, but the Shin Bet stressed that the intelligence picture is not yet complete and further collection and investigation are required.
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