Israeli Police Investigate Likud Over Alleged False Affidavit on State Comptroller Vote

Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Isman have instructed the police to investigate whether the Likud party submitted a false affidavit to the Supreme Court regarding the election of the State Comptroller. The inquiry centers on claims that Likud MKs were ordered to film their votes during the election of Micha’el Regev to the position, which the Supreme Court later invalidated due to breaches of voting secrecy.

Likud had previously declared in court that no instructions were given to MKs to record their votes and that any such recordings were voluntary. However, MK Sharren Haskel submitted a supplementary affidavit contradicting this, stating that MKs were indeed instructed to film their votes and that the footage was sent to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This direct contradiction has prompted the Attorney General to order police to take an open testimony from Haskel, who is not considered a suspect.

If Haskel confirms her statements, authorities may open a criminal investigation into the possibility that Likud knowingly submitted a false affidavit to the Supreme Court. The controversy arose amid a petition by Haskel to split from the Right-Wing State faction after resigning as Deputy Foreign Minister. The case highlights tensions within Likud and raises questions about the legality and transparency of the State Comptroller election process.

The Supreme Court had annulled Regev’s election due to the breach of voting secrecy caused by filming, which was against the law. Likud’s CEO David Sharan and several MKs had denied any directive to film votes in their affidavits, making Haskel’s claims a significant contradiction. The police investigation is ongoing, with further decisions pending based on Haskel’s testimony.