Shin Bet Estimates Millions of Shekels Transferred to Disrupt Elections
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
The Shin Bet estimates that several million shekels were transferred by foreign entities to disrupt Israeli elections, and the investigation is ongoing. Shin Bet head Dov Zini is seeking expanded investigative powers, viewing the matter as a security incident involving foreign interference. The estimated sum has fluctuated significantly, from hundreds of thousands to potentially 100 million shekels, though the current assessment is in the millions. The Attorney General, Shin Bet head, and Elections Committee chairman are set to discuss the case.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet estimates several million shekels were transferred to disrupt Israeli elections.
- The investigation into foreign funding for election interference is ongoing.
- Shin Bet head Dov Zini seeks broader investigative powers for the case.
- Estimated funds involved have ranged from hundreds of thousands to 100 million shekels.
- The Attorney General, Shin Bet head, and Elections Committee chair will discuss the probe.
Joint investigation teams are continuing to probe suspicions of foreign funding aimed at influencing Israeli election results. The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) now estimates that several million shekels were transferred for this purpose, and the investigation is not expected to conclude soon, according to a report by i24NEWS diplomatic correspondent Amichai Stein.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, Shin Bet head Dov Zini, and Central Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg are scheduled to discuss the matter this week. Zini insists the case is not a standard criminal investigation but a security incident involving foreign interference in Israel's democratic process. He is seeking authorization to use additional investigative tools beyond the agency's current limited capabilities.
Reports indicate a significant fluctuation in the estimated amounts of money involved. Initially, hundreds of thousands of shekels were suspected, followed by estimates of around 8 million shekels, and later up to 100 million shekels. Zini had previously informed Sohlberg of suspicions regarding hundreds of thousands of shekels transferred to a Knesset member from Arab parties before the elections, and after the elections, suspicions of approximately 8 million shekels transferred to Arab parties. Most recently, it was reported that Zini presented a potential figure of up to 100 million shekels to Sohlberg.
The Shin Bet's current assessment is that the funds transferred to disrupt the elections amount to several million shekels. The investigation is ongoing, with the expectation that it will take considerable time to complete.
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