Israel's Shin Bet to Probe Suspected Foreign Election Interference and Bribery

Israel's Central Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg ordered the Shin Bet to investigate "serious suspicions" of foreign funding and election bribery by foreign entities working against Israeli interests. The directive follows a briefing on "exceptionally grave" information, with findings requested within a week. Separately, arrests have been made in an investigation into alleged bribery for votes for the Ra'am party, though police have found no evidence for broader Likud fraud claims. Political leaders from across the spectrum reacted, with some calling for swift action and others urging arrests of suspected individuals.