Israeli Politicians Accuse Netanyahu of Misusing Security Services for Election Aims

Yair Golan, head of the Israeli Democratic Party, has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office of exploiting security and law enforcement agencies for political purposes. This accusation follows an Israeli Channel 12 report revealing new information about the source of intelligence used by police in investigations against activists from the Arab United List in the southern region shortly before the elections. Golan stated that the revelation proves Netanyahu's office "crossed a new red line," citing suspicions of planting intelligence information against citizens within police systems before elections to serve a political campaign and influence election results. He warned that the issue is not merely a "dirty electoral maneuver" but raises concerns about the misuse of state institutions to harm the democratic process, posing a "real danger." Golan emphasized that the Shin Bet and the Israeli Police are "not an executive arm for Netanyahu" and called for an immediate, independent investigation and accountability for all involved.

The "Uvda" investigative program reported that a former employee of the Prime Minister's office was the source of intelligence provided to the police. This intelligence was used in the investigation of Arab United List activists in the Negev, sparking controversy over the potential weaponization of state agencies in political and electoral conflicts. According to previous Channel 12 reports, the head of Netanyahu's office staff, Eido Norden, transferred the information to Police Commissioner Dany Levy via phone, directing the police to an intelligence source who had recently worked in the Prime Minister's office.

The case dates back to the arrest of three Arab United List activists in the Negev on election day, suspected of attempting to distribute money to voters in exchange for votes. Police announced at the time that they had seized envelopes containing money during searches of the suspects' homes. The Arab United List denied the accusations, calling the arrests a political attempt to influence Arab community voting. Subsequent Israeli reports indicated that police lacked sufficient evidence against several suspects, and four were released to house arrest, with sources suggesting the investigation might not lead to indictments.

The investigation into the Arab United List activists is separate, according to police, from a parallel Shin Bet investigation into suspected foreign interference in Israeli elections. In a related development, Israel's Channel 12 reported that a negotiation team led by Gadi Eisenkot met with representatives from the parties of Avigdor Lieberman and Yair Golan. These parties clarified that they would oppose forming a government that includes the Likud party. Eisenkot commented on recent developments, stating that Netanyahu's behavior is a threat to democracy and that he should not continue to hold power. These statements come amid a political crisis following the elections and escalating accusations of using security and intelligence matters in partisan disputes, with opposition forces seeking to form an alternative government to Netanyahu's.