Shin Bet Accused of Pressuring Joint List Activists to Inform on Ra'am Party

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has reportedly summoned and pressured activists from the Joint List party to provide information against their political rivals, the Ra'am party. According to Channel 12, citing several activists who claim to have been interrogated, investigators focused their questions on Ra'am, with one activist describing the interrogation as an attempt to recruit him as an informant. A Christian activist reported that a Shin Bet interrogator tried to exploit his religious beliefs, suggesting he cooperate against the "Islamists" of Ra'am. The Shin Bet responded that its actions are "in accordance with its legal authority" as part of an investigation into suspected "subversion and foreign influence" related to the elections, adding that specific actions cannot be detailed at this stage. Separately, the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Noam Sohlberg, stated on Thursday that the Shin Bet's investigation into suspected foreign interference in the recent elections has not yet yielded evidence of wrongdoing, though the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, rejected a public call for negotiations from outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling it "another spin" and "the latest bluff." Eisenkot stated that Netanyahu is aware a meeting between the negotiation teams of National Unity and Likud was already scheduled for the following day. Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of seeking unity while simultaneously "degrading a state position in the Knesset and dividing and inciting." He reiterated that the conditions for joining a Netanyahu-led emergency government remain the recognition of his outlined principles and the removal of extremist elements. Eisenkot asserted that Netanyahu is aware of his election loss and the clear majority against him in the public and Knesset, claiming Netanyahu is engaged in a "defensive battle" to hinder the formation of a new government and the replacement of the Knesset speaker.

Eisenkot presented a political test for Likud and the Religious Zionism party regarding the upcoming vote for Knesset speaker on Tuesday. He suggested that if they are serious about partnership, they should allow a proper democratic process and instruct their Knesset members to support MK Matan Kahana, the candidate from the change bloc. "This is their opportunity to prove how serious they are. Or, once again, it's all an empty political trick and nothing more," Eisenkot stated, concluding that he is working to quickly establish a national emergency government.

In other news, a man in his 50s was shot and killed in Taybeh, with police stating the background was "apparently criminal" and not nationalistic. Separately, right-wing activists reportedly attacked and insulted a newspaper photographer during a demonstration outside the home of National Unity Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot in Herzliya. Approximately 50 right-wing activists protested outside Eisenkot's home, blocking a street and chanting slogans against forming a government with "terrorists." Police present at the scene did not intervene. Additionally, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that five Palestinians were injured by settlers near the village of Beit Fajjar in the southern West Bank while harvesting olives, with some vehicles also vandalized. In a separate incident, a Palestinian was reportedly injured near the entrance to the village of Dir Jarir after settlers allegedly opened fire on his vehicle.