Israeli TV Report Alleges Netanyahu's Office, Shin Bet Fabricated Arrests of Arab Activists

A Channel 12 investigative report has raised serious suspicions that the Israeli police and the Shin Bet security agency may have been manipulated to serve Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's political interests during election day. The report alleges that the Prime Minister's office provided fabricated intelligence information, originating from Netanyahu's staff, to orchestrate the arrest of three activists from the United Arab List (Ra'am) in the Negev.

A senior law enforcement official, who reviewed the case details, warned of the gravity of the events, stating, "These events have taught me that there will be no fair elections here anymore." He expressed concern that if the Shin Bet and police act in such a manner, the integrity of future elections cannot be guaranteed.

The report details how on the eve of the election, Ido Norden, head of Netanyahu's office staff, contacted the Police Inspector General to file a complaint against Ra'am activists. Norden allegedly directed police officers to a supposed "intelligence source," later identified as a former employee of the Prime Minister's office close to former Director General Yossi Shelley. This former employee provided information, described as false, which was immediately entered into police intelligence systems, leading to arrests at a critical time.

Approximately 14 police officers reportedly raided the home of Dr. Sayaf Abu Riyash in Rahat, along with two other activists' homes, without presenting search or arrest warrants. Police then publicized claims of seizing large sums of money and ballot papers intended to influence voting, which Netanyahu allegedly used for campaign promotion under the slogan "Arabs are stealing the election."

The revelations have caused significant concern within the office of the Legal Advisor to the Government, Gali Baharav-Miara, and the Police Investigations Department. They are examining suspicions that information was deliberately planted to bolster the complaint from Netanyahu's office. The report also noted that Shin Bet head David Zini requested wiretaps on five Arab Knesset members on election day, citing alleged "foreign interference," a request reportedly rejected by the Legal Advisor due to a lack of evidence.

Following his arrest, Dr. Abu Riyash was prevented from voting. Court proceedings revealed that a police investigator did not deny a defense attorney's question about whether the investigation originated from a "political source," referring to a secret file for the judge. Dr. Abu Riyash was released after six days without any incriminating evidence being found. The Shin Bet stated that it investigated serious suspicions of sabotage and foreign influence in the election context, acting within its legal mandate and at the direction of the Central Elections Committee chairman, Judge Noam Solberg. They added that publications regarding the investigation's targets or methods did not originate from the Shin Bet.