Shin Bet Official Sought Wiretaps on Arab Lawmakers Amid Election Probe
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Shin Bet intelligence chief David Zini sought to wiretap five Arab lawmakers over alleged foreign interference in elections, but the Attorney General's office rejected the request. Zini also claimed to have intelligence since 2018 about Arabs "stealing" elections, which has alarmed senior officials. The investigation is in its early stages with no evidence presented yet. The Shin Bet confirmed it is investigating foreign influence in elections under judicial directive.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet official David Zini requested wiretaps on five Arab lawmakers over election interference concerns.
- The Attorney General's office rejected Zini's request for wiretaps.
- Zini claimed to possess intelligence since 2018 alleging Arabs were "stealing" Israeli elections.
- Senior officials expressed concern over the investigation's methods and focus on Arab lawmakers.
- No evidence has yet been presented to support claims of election theft.
- The Shin Bet confirmed it is investigating foreign influence in elections under judicial directive.
David Zini, head of the Shin Bet's intelligence division, requested authorization to wiretap five Arab members of the Knesset as part of an investigation into suspected foreign interference in the election process. The request was opposed and rejected by the office of the Attorney General.
Further raising concerns, Zini met with Gadi Eisenkot, the head of the Shin Bet, two days after the election. During this meeting, Zini presented a thick binder containing intelligence he claimed was gathered over years, stating, "There have been reports since 2018 that Arabs are stealing the elections in Israel. All the Shin Bet heads ignored this. I came and lifted this stone." These statements have caused alarm among senior Shin Bet and law enforcement officials regarding the handling of the investigation and its focus on Arab lawmakers.
Currently, no evidence has been presented to substantiate the claim that the elections were stolen, and the investigation remains in its initial stages. A senior law enforcement official commented on the tension surrounding the affair, stating, "Public service will not withstand another such period, we are on the edge."
The publication is part of a broader investigation revealing suspicions that the Prime Minister's Office may have planted intelligence against Arab citizens. The report indicates that the Prime Minister's chief of staff contacted the police commissioner to complain about Ra'am party activists, while a former ministry employee allegedly provided incriminating information against them to the police. Shortly thereafter, three activists were arrested in Rahat.
The Shin Bet stated in response that, in accordance with its legal mandate and the directive of the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Solberg, serious suspicions of subversive activities and foreign influence related to the elections were investigated. The agency asserted that any publications regarding investigation targets or tools used are not from the Shin Bet and should be treated as such.
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