Ben-Gvir Accuses Police Official of Lying Amid Election Interference Probe
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Israel's Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir accused police official Yishai Blat of lying and acting under the direction of Legal Advisor Gali Baharav-Miara in an election interference probe. Ben-Gvir also criticized Police Commissioner Dany Levy for allegedly succumbing to pressure from the Legal Advisor. The investigation examines suspicions of foreign funding aimed at influencing the 26th Knesset elections, leading to disputes between the police, Shin Bet, and the Legal Advisor over investigative procedures and authority.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused police official Yishai Blat of lying and acting on behalf of the Legal Advisor.
- Ben-Gvir also claimed Legal Advisor Gali Baharav-Miara pressures Police Commissioner Dany Levy.
- Blat instructed police to route Shin Bet requests through him in the election interference probe.
- The investigation concerns suspicions of foreign funding influencing the 26th Knesset elections.
- Disagreements exist between police, Shin Bet, and the Legal Advisor over the investigation's handling.
Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has publicly accused Yishai Blat, head of the Police Investigations Division, of lying, misleading, and acting on behalf of the government's Legal Advisor Gali Baharav-Miara. Ben-Gvir alleged during a radio interview that Blat is working under Baharav-Miara's direction to close cases and cover up issues, calling him a "liar and deceiver."
Ben-Gvir also criticized Police Commissioner Dany Levy, suggesting his changing stance is due to pressure from the Legal Advisor. He claimed Baharav-Miara pressures Levy and shouts at him during meetings.
These statements follow instructions issued by Blat to police officers working on the election interference case. The instructions require any request from the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for information or investigative assistance to be routed through Blat, prohibiting responses without his approval. This includes requests for surveillance footage and conducting interviews, despite the police's expected role in providing field assistance to the Shin Bet.
The investigation concerns allegations of external funding, including from Qatar, Turkey, and the Palestinian Authority, directed towards individuals linked to Arab parties to influence the 26th Knesset elections. These claims remain unproven in court. The Shin Bet has been gradually transferring relevant materials to the police after disagreements over information exchange.
The handling of the investigation has caused friction between the police, the Shin Bet, and the Legal Advisor, with disputes over the scope of authority, the nature of suspicions and evidence, and the potential to summon Arab political figures for questioning.
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