Police Investigations Chief Orders Staff to Halt Shin Bet Election Aid Requests

The head of the Israeli Police's Investigations Department, Boaz Balat, has instructed his subordinates not to comply with any assistance requests from the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) related to the recent elections without his explicit approval. This directive, issued on Friday, stems from escalating tensions between the police and the Shin Bet concerning an investigation into suspected election influence.

The order mandates that all Shin Bet requests, including those for camera footage or conducting investigations, must be routed through Balat. "If the Shin Bet approaches you with any request for assistance concerning the elections (such as: assistance in taking down cameras, investigations, or any other action) you must refer them to me and not grant their request until the department's approval is received," read a message attributed to reporter Amit Segal. The instruction was reiterated for emphasis: "Again, any request whatsoever concerning the elections, must be referred to me."

This means that Shin Bet requests will not be handled directly by the officers approached, but will first undergo Balat's review. The background to this friction is a Shin Bet investigation into allegations of foreign funds being funneled to influence the elections. Following information presented by Shin Bet Director David Zinai, Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Sohlberg ordered an inquiry, leading to the formation of a joint team involving the Shin Bet, police, and the State Prosecutor's Office.

Recent days have also seen disputes over the transfer and scope of investigation materials. According to a statement from the Attorney General's office, the Shin Bet did not transfer materials to the joint team for two days. Separately, a police investigation into alleged election bribery in the Negev, aimed at securing votes for the Ra'am party, is being handled by Lahav 433. It is important to note that these two cases are distinct, and no involvement of Ra'am leadership has been proven.

Sohlberg clarified that the suspicions require evidentiary support and that the presented material does not undermine the overall election results. The new police directive highlights the significant tension between the two security agencies. On Thursday, it was reported that Shin Bet and Yahav (Israeli Police National Fraud Unit) investigation teams had met, with Shin Bet representatives presenting some of their findings to the police investigators.