Israel Election Bribery Probe Expands, Shin Bet Head Ordered to Investigate
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The Chairman of Israel's Central Elections Committee has ordered the Shin Bet to investigate allegations of foreign funding influencing the recent Knesset elections, with findings due within a week. The probe centers on suspicions that millions of shekels from enemy states were transferred to buy votes for the Ra'am party. Several ministers and lawmakers have called for urgent investigations, with some specifically naming Arab party leaders and Qatar. Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of the Yesh Atid party, emphasized protecting election integrity while warning against political exploitation of the situation.
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- Shin Bet head ordered to investigate foreign funding allegations in Israeli elections.
- Millions of shekels from enemy states allegedly used to buy votes for Ra'am party.
- Ministers and lawmakers demand urgent probe into suspected election interference.
- Finance Minister calls foreign funding allegations a 'test case' for Israel.
- National Security Minister calls for arrests of Arab party leaders linked to Qatar.
- Gadi Eisenkot warns against political exploitation of election interference claims.
The investigation into alleged election bribery has escalated significantly, with the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, ordering Shin Bet head David Zini to examine suspicions of foreign funding influencing the 26th Knesset elections. Sohlberg has requested findings within approximately one week.
The probe, focusing on alleged election bribery within the Arab community, is examining information suggesting millions of shekels from enemy states were allegedly transferred to Israel to finance vote-buying and sway election results. The specific countries, sources of funds, and transfer methods have not yet been officially disclosed. This development follows the arrest of three residents from Shagur, Jaljulia, and Ar'ara in the Negev on election day, during which envelopes containing tens of thousands of shekels in cash, along with ballots, were seized. The funds are suspected of being intended for payments to voters in exchange for casting ballots for the Ra'am party.
In parallel, several ministers and Knesset members have urged Sohlberg and the Shin Bet chief to urgently investigate the allegations. Among them were Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli, Constitution Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman, and Interior Committee Chairman Yitzhak Kroizer. Their joint letter asserted that the suspicions point to an unprecedented attempt to interfere in Israel's democratic elections. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated, "The suspicion of election manipulation with foreign Islamist money is a test case for the State of Israel. The leaders of the Arab parties must be investigated by the Shin Bet today. The State of Israel will not be sold to radical Islam with terror money."
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the immediate arrest of Arab party leaders suspected of involvement with Qatari money and other implicated individuals, including those from the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates, if legal grounds exist. Deputy Minister Almog Cohen also urged the Shin Bet to summon Mansour Abbas, Yosef Jabareen, and Ahmed Tibi, who visited Qatar shortly before the elections, for questioning. Cohen further suggested that Judge Sohlberg should immediately halt the ballot counting.
Yesh Atid party Chairman Gadi Eisenkot stated that Israel must safeguard the integrity of elections against any interference but cautioned against political elements exploiting the situation to influence the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset. Meanwhile, with 88.6% of votes counted, preliminary results show 53 mandates for the Netanyahu bloc, 48 for the change bloc, and 19 for Arab parties. The article notes that Arab party support could enable a temporary minority or transitional government led by Eisenkot.
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