Police Find No Election Funding Violations in Foreign Interference Probe

The Israeli Police have concluded that intelligence materials provided by the Shin Bet do not establish suspicion of election funding violations or security offenses related to alleged foreign interference in the 26th Knesset elections. This finding was conveyed in an opinion submitted by the police to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on Tuesday, following an examination of the intelligence.

A police source told Ynet that the findings indicate "no dramas as they tried to portray about foreign influence in the Knesset elections." The opinion was submitted after a meeting last Thursday between the police, the Shin Bet, and the Attorney General's office, where the intelligence was presented.

The police's conclusion marks a significant development in a case where Shin Bet chief David Zini sought to advance an investigation into suspected foreign interference, while Baharav-Miara maintained that investigations could not be opened without sufficient evidentiary basis. The Attorney General had previously stated that she was unaware of any evidentiary basis that even remotely suggested an influence on election results, noting that only initial information concerning isolated incidents had been presented.

Shagi Keisler, Director of the Likud's Election Purity Staff, criticized the police's actions, claiming they have not investigated over 1,281 detailed complaints, including allegations of election bribery in the Arab sector. Keisler stated that the police are avoiding investigating the truth and urged them to begin their work.

The controversy stems from suspicions that foreign entities, including Qatar, Turkey, and the Palestinian Authority, allegedly transferred large sums of money to individuals connected to Arab parties to influence election outcomes. The Shin Bet had presented intelligence to the Central Elections Committee suggesting significant foreign funding and influence operations, but lacked concrete evidence at the time.

Shin Bet chief Zini had requested to open a police investigation under caution against senior figures in Arab parties, including Mansour Abbas, Ahmad Tibi, Ayman Odeh, and Sami Abu Shehadeh, and to classify the affair as a security offense to enable broader investigative tools. Baharav-Miara opposed these requests, emphasizing that such measures require a solid evidentiary foundation. The dispute between Zini and Baharav-Miara intensified, leading to intervention by President Isaac Herzog, who spoke with both to de-escalate the situation. The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, had previously stated that the 26th Knesset elections were conducted properly and their results reflected the voters' will.