Shin Bet Chief Demanded to Investigate Lawmakers, Leaked Tapes Reveal

Shin Bet chief David Zini demanded that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara allow him to investigate members of Knesset (MKs) as part of an inquiry into suspected foreign interference in elections. This demand was revealed in a transcript of a conversation disclosed by Avishai Greenzweig on i24NEWS. The dispute between Zini and Baharav-Miara centers on the investigation of senior figures in Arab parties. Zini is quoted as saying, "Let me investigate the MKs," to which Baharav-Miara responded, "Without reasonable suspicion, I will not permit investigating a person under warning, especially an MK." Zini countered that she had previously authorized Shin Bet investigations based on lesser suspicion, but the Attorney General maintained that "reasonable suspicion is required."

The Shin Bet's stated position, as previously reported to Channel 12, was that the agency sought to investigate individuals close to MKs, not the lawmakers themselves. Meanwhile, Zini and Baharav-Miara met for over two hours at Shin Bet headquarters on Wednesday to advance the investigation following their public dispute. It is unclear if any new agreements were reached. Earlier this week, a separate argument reportedly occurred before a joint statement was issued. Zini allegedly wanted the statement to include the possibility that investigation findings could alter election results, but Baharav-Miara objected, stating he lacked proof. Ultimately, Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, determined the statement's wording, indicating that even if suspicions were confirmed, election results would not be changed overall.

Further details emerged regarding Zini's stance, with political commentator Amit Segal reporting that Zini presented Sohlberg with suspicions of up to 100 million shekels transferred from hostile foreign entities to influence elections. Zini reportedly claimed this was a nationwide phenomenon involving multiple parties, with some suspects linked to terrorism, and that he was denied authorization to investigate them. Segal also reported Zini's explanation for his initial praise of election integrity on election day, stating that preliminary intelligence arrived shortly before the vote, and reports of suspected vote-buying emerged on election day itself. Segal added that Zini also raised suspicions of funds being funneled to the Ra'am and Joint List parties from hostile countries and the Palestinian Authority, though these suspicions remain unproven and no evidence has linked party leadership to receiving such funds.

Concurrently, senior law enforcement officials reportedly criticized the Shin Bet chief, alleging that the agency is delaying the transfer of investigation materials to the police, hindering their progress. "Zini is dragging his feet to create a narrative, therefore he is not transferring the materials to the police so they can start investigating," the officials stated. The Shin Bet denied these claims, asserting that materials would be transferred through a joint team. This joint Shin Bet-police investigation team is expected to convene for the first time on Thursday. The investigation of MK Ayman Odeh has not yet been approved, pending review of the materials. Earlier on Wednesday, the Shin Bet announced suspicions of foreign funding affecting thousands of individuals, emphasizing the need for further intelligence and investigative work to determine the scope and involved parties.