Election Committee Chief Criticizes Leaks, Says No 'Real Evidence' of Foreign Interference
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
Central Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg stated there is no "real evidence" of foreign interference in elections, despite ongoing investigations. He criticized media leaks, calling them damaging to the probe and security aspects. Sohlberg also praised the Shin Bet and its director for their crucial role in protecting the elections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Noam Sohlberg says no "real evidence" of foreign election interference has emerged yet.
- Sohlberg criticized media leaks from the investigation as damaging to the probe.
- The investigation into suspected foreign interference in elections is still ongoing.
- Sohlberg defended the Shin Bet and its director, David Zini, for their election work.
- He noted that the government's legal advisor did not refuse Shin Bet's investigative requests.
The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, has written to committee members to update them on the investigation into suspected foreign interference in elections. Sohlberg criticized the leaks of information from the investigation to the press, as well as inaccurate reporting in the media, stating that "confidential information was presented, which has not yet matured into real evidence, and may not mature." He emphasized that the investigation is ongoing.
Sohlberg noted that the head of the Shin Bet had committed himself and the agency to protecting the elections from the outset of the current election cycle, with many actions taken discreetly. He confirmed that he had reviewed the matter with the special investigation team and found no instance where the government's legal advisor refused Shin Bet's investigative requests.
He expressed regret over the numerous media reports in recent weeks concerning evidence, suspicions, or investigative actions related to the Shin Bet's probe into alleged foreign intervention, particularly citing reports from Channel 12 and i24News. Sohlberg highlighted a specific leak that occurred before the investigation's findings were even submitted to the Elections Committee, calling it a "recurring and severe blow to the investigation, especially its security aspects."
Sohlberg also defended the Shin Bet and its director, David Zini, expressing gratitude for their invaluable assistance during the election period and stating that the agency deserves public recognition and trust.
