Election Fraud Probe Requires Intensified Investigation, Says Top Judge
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Judge Noam Sohlberg, head of the Central Election Committee, stated that election fraud suspicions require an intensified investigation, even though concrete evidence is lacking. He revealed that the Shin Bet head presented intelligence information that led to a probe. Sohlberg also addressed claims of obstruction by the government's legal counsel, finding cooperation satisfactory, and strongly condemned leaks from the investigation. The police have questioned the Shin Bet's findings regarding the scale of suspected bribery.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Election fraud suspicions necessitate an intensified investigation, according to Judge Noam Sohlberg.
- Shin Bet head David Zini presented intelligence information that triggered a comprehensive probe.
- Judge Sohlberg found satisfactory cooperation among investigation bodies, refuting claims of obstruction.
- Leaks from the investigation are harming security aspects and distorting the investigation's reality, Sohlberg warned.
- The police have questioned the Shin Bet's findings on the scale of suspected election bribery.
The Deputy President of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Central Election Committee for the 26th Knesset, Judge Noam Sohlberg, sent a detailed letter to committee members on Thursday regarding the ongoing election investigation. Despite the 26th Knesset having convened, Sohlberg stated that the clarification process continues. He revealed that shortly after the elections, the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, presented him with intelligence information raising suspicions, some described as very serious, prompting a comprehensive investigation.
Sohlberg clarified in his letter that the classified information presented so far has not yet solidified into concrete evidence and may not in the future. However, he emphasized that the information necessitates "an intensified continuation of the investigation, until its full exhaustion." He also praised the Shin Bet's efforts in protecting the election system, stating the organization deserves public trust.
The judge addressed claims that the government's legal counsel obstructed the investigation. After convening representatives from the special investigation team, including the Shin Bet, Israel Police, and the State Prosecutor's Office, Sohlberg reported that cooperation was satisfactory and he found no refusal of Shin Bet requests by the legal counsel. He was assured that any future request based on legal suspicion would be examined quickly and efficiently.
A significant portion of Sohlberg's letter focused on leaks from the investigation, which he stated repeatedly harm the security aspects of the investigators' work. He disclosed that a classified opinion was completed and scheduled for delivery by courier, but its main points were published by the media before it reached the Election Committee. "Such a leak is a chronic illness," Sohlberg wrote, warning committee members that the media's descriptions are far removed from the actual investigation's progress.
Background to Sohlberg's remarks includes a classified opinion by the Israel Police that questioned the Shin Bet's findings, stating no basis for the claims had been found. While the Shin Bet suspected election bribery amounting to approximately NIS 100 million, the police estimated it at only a few million shekels. The Shin Bet stated they do not address the police conclusions as their investigators had not yet seen all the investigation materials.
