Election Interference Probe Lacks Concrete Evidence, Says Committee Chair

The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, informed committee members on Thursday that the intelligence gathered regarding suspicions of interference in the 26th Knesset elections has not yet yielded concrete evidence. Sohlberg also strongly criticized the leak of a classified legal opinion related to the investigation, whose details appeared in the media before reaching the committee.

Sohlberg convened the joint investigation team from the Shin Bet, police, and State Prosecutor's Office for an update. He explained that shortly after the elections, the head of the Shin Bet presented him with intelligence raising serious suspicions about the election process, prompting a comprehensive investigation. Sohlberg emphasized that while classified information has been presented to investigators, it has not yet solidified into tangible evidence and may not do so in the future. He noted that the evidentiary situation remains similar to that prior to a security agencies' statement last week.

Addressing claims of delays by the legal counsel for the government, Sohlberg stated that his direct inquiry with the investigation team found no instances where the legal counsel refused requests from the Shin Bet. He was assured that any legally grounded request would be processed swiftly and efficiently to ascertain the truth.

Sohlberg also revealed that a classified legal opinion concerning the investigation was completed and was to be delivered to the committee, but its main points were leaked to the press within an hour, before it officially arrived. He condemned the leak as a recurring harm to the investigation, particularly its security aspects, calling it a "terrible disease."

Sohlberg pledged to continue monitoring the investigation's progress and to work on removing any obstacles. Findings that can be disclosed without jeopardizing the investigation or national security will be published later.