Israel's Attorney General: No Evidence Yet to Affect Election Results

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated on Sunday that she is unaware of any evidence that could significantly impact election results or justify claims of such influence. Speaking at a Ministry of Justice seminar in Eilat, she emphasized that any new information presented would be examined and handled appropriately. This statement comes shortly after a public dispute between Baharav-Miara and Shin Bet head David Zini regarding an investigation into suspected foreign influence in elections.

Baharav-Miara asserted that investigations are conducted professionally and impartially, regardless of political or ethnic affiliation. She noted that the head of the Central Elections Committee is being kept informed of developments. The Attorney General indicated that the joint investigation by the Shin Bet and police into suspected foreign election interference has not yielded significant breakthroughs recently, though law enforcement has been actively engaged in ensuring election integrity, particularly concerning the first AI-driven election cycle.

She stressed the seriousness of criminal offenses against election integrity, calling them anti-democratic. Baharav-Miara confirmed that investigations will be opened upon reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and that significant investigative actions have already been approved. She expressed confidence in the joint team, stating that initial evidence pertains only to isolated incidents.

In a pointed remark, Baharav-Miara alluded to Justice Minister Yariv Levin, mentioning her office door was not locked, unlike a previous incident where Levin reportedly locked their shared office. She also criticized recent legislative changes, particularly the laws concerning the Police Investigations Department (PID) and the weakening of the Attorney General's office, arguing they undermine the rule of law and human rights by shifting loyalty from the public to the ruling party and politicizing law enforcement.

Baharav-Miara praised State Attorney Amit Issar for his professional navigation of the complex period. Issar, in his remarks, stated that the State Attorney's Office does not serve as the government's private law firm but represents the state and public interest within legal bounds. He acknowledged the elected officials' authority to set policy but maintained the office's professional responsibility.

The dispute with Zini centered on his request to broadly classify the investigation under national security offenses, allowing for expanded Shin Bet investigative tools, and to question senior Arab party officials without presenting evidence. Baharav-Miara opposed these demands, deeming them unlawful and emphasizing the need for proper evidentiary basis before investigating citizens and public officials. She also argued against preemptively classifying the entire affair as a security matter, as election bribery suspicions could remain within the criminal sphere.

The conflict escalated with an unusual statement from Baharav-Miara accusing the Shin Bet of delaying evidence transfer and a heated exchange between her and Zini. President Yitzhak Herzog intervened, mediating a conversation that led to a meeting between Baharav-Miara and Zini, where they agreed to de-escalate tensions. Subsequently, the Shin Bet began transferring relevant materials to the police in installments, though the fundamental disagreement over investigative methods and Shin Bet's authority persists.