Election Integrity Probe Incomplete, Leaks Harm Investigation, Says Judge Sohlberg
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Sohlberg stated that suspicions regarding election integrity require further investigation, as not all leads have been exhausted. He criticized repeated leaks of information to the media, arguing they harm the probe's security aspects. Sohlberg did not declare the elections fraudulent but confirmed that not all suspicions have been disproven, urging caution with sensitive details.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Judge Noam Sohlberg says election integrity suspicions require further intensive investigation.
- Sohlberg stated that not all suspicions have been refuted, nor were elections proven fraudulent.
- He criticized repeated leaks to the media for damaging the investigation's security aspects.
- The Shin Bet, Israel Police, and Attorney General's office are cooperating on the probe.
- Sohlberg urged extreme caution with any information related to the ongoing investigation.
The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, revealed in a letter on Thursday that suspicions regarding the integrity of the recent elections have not yet been fully investigated. While some presented information has not yet solidified into concrete evidence, Sohlberg stated that findings still necessitate an intensive, ongoing investigation. He emphasized that the investigation is not complete and not all suspicions have been refuted, nor has it been proven that the elections were fraudulent.
Sohlberg detailed that shortly after the elections, he presented sensitive information to the head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), prompting a comprehensive investigation. He noted that the Shin Bet, along with the Israel Police and the Attorney General's office, have been cooperating on the probe. Sohlberg clarified that the Attorney General's office has not refused any investigative requests from the Shin Bet and stressed the importance of continuing the examination.
A significant concern raised by Sohlberg was the repeated leaking of information to the media, which he believes severely damages the investigation, particularly its security aspects. He cited an instance where details of a legal opinion related to the probe were leaked to the press shortly after he was informed it would be sent to him. Sohlberg condemned these leaks, stating they constitute a "repeated and recurring damage to the investigation, and especially to its security aspects," urging anyone with information to handle it with extreme caution to avoid compromising the pursuit of truth.
