Israeli Democracy Watch Demands Criminal Probe Into Netanyahu's Staff Chief
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
The Israeli Democracy Watch organization has asked the Attorney General and State Attorney to open a criminal investigation into Acting Head of Staff Ido Norden and others in the Prime Minister's Office. They are suspected of attempting to interfere with the 26th Knesset elections by allegedly sharing intelligence on Ra'am activists with police, leading to searches of activists' homes. The organization cited subsequent court releases of suspects and claims of charity use for seized funds as evidence of a potentially fabricated event. They are also seeking to determine if Prime Minister Netanyahu was informed and if there was coordination with the Likud campaign.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli Democracy Watch seeks criminal probe into PM's acting staff chief Ido Norden for election interference.
- Norden allegedly shared intelligence on Ra'am activists with police, leading to activist home searches.
- Searches occurred without warrants, and most suspects were later released by a Beer Sheva court.
- One suspect claimed seized funds were for charity and ballot papers were for illiterate voters.
- The organization questions PM Netanyahu's awareness and potential coordination with the Likud campaign.
The Israeli Democracy Watch organization has formally requested that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Issman launch a criminal investigation into officials in the Prime Minister's Office, specifically Acting Head of Staff Ido Norden. The demand stems from allegations of an attempt to undermine the integrity of the 26th Knesset elections.
According to a report by 'The Seventh Eye,' Norden allegedly transferred "intelligence information" on Ra'am party activists directly to senior police officials on the night of October 26-27. This conversation reportedly included Assistant Commissioner Boaz Balt. Hours later, police conducted searches without warrants at the homes of three activists in Segev Shalom and Ar'ara.
Israeli Democracy Watch described these events as indicative of actions that could constitute election interference. The organization also referenced campaign videos by the Prime Minister urging citizens to vote and warning of potential election theft by the Arab sector. The article also notes a separate defamation lawsuit filed by a Haaretz journalist against Minister Shikli.
Further undermining the evidence, a Beer Sheva Magistrate's Court ordered the release of most suspects following the elections. One suspect claimed the money seized was intended for charity, and the ballot papers were visual aids for illiterate voters. The organization is seeking an investigation into Norden for election interference, providing false information, and fraud and breach of trust. They also question whether Prime Minister Netanyahu was aware of the arrests and if the Likud campaign coordinated with the police. The organization urged the prosecution to preserve all relevant communications and preparatory materials from the Prime Minister's Bureau.
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