Israel's Attorney General: No Evidence of Election Impact
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated there is no evidence to affect the outcome of the 26th Knesset elections, despite Shin Bet head David Zini's call for an investigation into politicians over alleged foreign funding. She stressed that investigation decisions are professional and objective. The Shin Bet has presented intelligence on significant foreign funding aimed at influencing elections. Baharav-Miara also criticized a new law concerning the Police Internal Investigations Department.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated no evidence exists to impact the 26th Knesset election results.
- Shin Bet head David Zini requested an investigation into politicians over alleged foreign election funding.
- Baharav-Miara emphasized investigation decisions are strictly professional and objective.
- Intelligence suggests up to 100 million shekels were transferred to influence Israeli elections.
- The Attorney General called a new law on police investigations a "poison pill."
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated on Sunday that she is unaware of any evidence that could influence the results of the 26th Knesset elections. Speaking at an annual Ministry of Justice seminar in Eilat, she clarified that while new information would be examined, "I do not recognize a evidentiary basis that would, even remotely, affect the election outcome or substantiate a claim of influence that could lead to a change in the election results."
Baharav-Miara's remarks come amid a dispute with Shin Bet head David Zini, who reportedly requested an investigation into four prominent Arab politicians, including Ahmad Tibi, Mansour Abbas, and Sami Abu Shehadeh, over alleged foreign funding aimed at influencing the elections. Zini allegedly questioned the threshold for investigation, stating, "National coverage, security aroma, number of parties, suspects involved in terror, what else is needed?"
The Attorney General emphasized that decisions on investigations are purely professional, stating, "When there is an evidentiary basis, whoever needs to be investigated will be investigated. This is not a matter of right or left. This is not a matter of Jewish or Arab. The decision whether to investigate a person is a professional, objective, and egalitarian decision. It was so and will be so."
She also addressed the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Solberg, describing him as handling the matter with professionalism and responsibility, and assured him that he would be updated on developments. The Shin Bet has reportedly presented intelligence to the committee detailing extensive foreign funding, estimated at up to 100 million shekels, from covert and potentially hostile entities, potentially involving thousands of individuals.
Baharav-Miara also commented on the recent Police Internal Investigations Department law, calling it a "poison pill" that undermines the department and enables the persecution of police officers, lawyers, and journalists. This statement follows ongoing tensions between her office and political figures, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who accused her of pressuring and shouting at the Police Commissioner.
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