Shin Bet Cites Sensitive Source in Delay of Foreign Election Interference Evidence
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
The Shin Bet claims delays in providing evidence of foreign election interference are due to fears of exposing a sensitive intelligence source. A joint meeting revealed suspicions of foreign funding totaling hundreds of thousands of shekels, contradicting earlier statements by Shin Bet head David Zini about millions involved. Additional intelligence on larger sums is expected soon.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet delays evidence transfer due to fear of exposing sensitive intelligence source.
- Suspected foreign election interference involves hundreds of thousands, not millions, of shekels.
- Shin Bet head David Zini's earlier statements claimed much larger sums were involved.
- A joint investigation team is examining the use of the suspected foreign funds.
- More intelligence on larger sums is expected to be provided soon.
The Shin Bet (General Security Service) stated that delays in transferring evidence regarding alleged foreign interference in elections stem from concerns about exposing a sensitive intelligence source. This was reported by Kan News on Saturday. A joint meeting involving the Shin Bet, the State Prosecutor's Office, and the police took place on Thursday. During this meeting, Shin Bet representatives presented limited information about suspicions of foreign funding amounting to hundreds of thousands of shekels, a significantly smaller sum than the millions previously stated by Shin Bet head David Zini.
According to a source involved in the discussions, Shin Bet officials explained outside of the official proceedings that they fear revealing an intelligence source who provided the details. They indicated that the evidence would be transferred at a later time. The Shin Bet declined to comment on the report.
Earlier reports from Kan News on Friday indicated that the information presented by the Shin Bet investigation team differed substantially from statements made by Zini earlier in the week. Zini had spoken of foreign involvement in "enormous sums" and "nationwide" organized election bribery. The investigation team, however, presented evidence concerning fund transfers totaling hundreds of thousands of shekels, suspected to be from foreign funding, without yet having indications of how these funds were used. This is the focus of the joint investigation team currently being established with representatives from the National Fraud Unit.
Security officials also stated that additional information, including intelligence on higher sums amounting to several million shekels, would be provided in the coming days. The investigation is examining suspicions of foreign intervention in elections, with the presented evidence differing from Zini's claims.
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