Police Investigations Chief Restricts Shin Bet Access to Election Probe Information
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
The head of the Israeli Police's Investigations and Intelligence Department, Boaz Balt, has ordered his officers not to share information with the Shin Bet on election matters without his explicit approval. This directive follows the first meeting of a joint task force investigating election bribery suspicions and signals internal tensions. The move restricts the Shin Bet's access to crucial data, requiring all election-related requests to be channeled through Balt's office.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Police Investigations Chief Boaz Balt restricted Shin Bet access to election probe information.
- Subordinates must get Balt's explicit approval before assisting the Shin Bet on election matters.
- The directive follows the first meeting of a joint task force investigating election bribery.
- Tensions exist between Shin Bet head David Zini and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
- All election-related requests must now be routed through Balt's office.
The head of the Israeli Police's Investigations and Intelligence Department, Commissioner Boaz Balt, issued an unusual directive on Friday instructing his subordinates not to share information or provide assistance to the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) concerning election matters without explicit approval from his office. This directive comes just one day after the first working meeting of a joint task force established to investigate suspected election bribery.
The move highlights growing tensions within the police regarding the election investigation, reportedly exacerbated by friction between Shin Bet head David Zini and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. Balt's directive mandates that all Shin Bet requests related to elections, regardless of their nature, must be routed through his office for approval before any action is taken.
"If the Shin Bet approaches you with any request for assistance concerning elections, you must refer them to me and not comply with their request until the department's approval is received," Balt wrote to his staff, reiterating the instruction. This means all election-related case actions must pass through the Investigations and Intelligence Department chief's office, a significant departure from the routine cooperation that typically involves dozens of ongoing security investigations between the Shin Bet and police.
The timing of Balt's order is notable, following the initial meeting of the joint task force. Instead of immediately delving into the investigation's substance, the meeting was dedicated to establishing operational protocols, including the division of responsibilities, cooperation methods, and work procedures to advance the probe.
