Shin Bet Confirms Serious Suspicions in Ra'am Election Probe

A senior Shin Bet official has confirmed that suspicions in the "Ra'amgate" affair are serious enough to warrant continued investigation, according to news anchor Boaz Golan. Golan reported on air that he was in contact with the official, who stated, "The suspicion is serious enough for the Shin Bet to continue investigating." This comes amid allegations of vote-buying for the Ra'am party in the Negev, alongside a separate security probe into suspected foreign interference and funding aimed at influencing Israeli elections.

The Shin Bet has confirmed an investigation into foreign interference, and it is understood that the Mossad may also join in examining international funding channels. Golan emphasized that the source of the funds, whether from Qatar or elsewhere, is only part of the issue. He stressed that the mere suspicion of payments to voters constitutes election bribery and requires a serious response from state authorities.

Golan urged the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, to halt the vote count until the suspicions are clarified. He argued that if vote-buying is proven, the election results should be invalidated to send a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated. Golan also questioned the reported surge in voter turnout in some communities during the final hours of election day, suggesting it should be practically examined.

"If the elections are disqualified, it means to the Arabs and the operators of this money and bribery machine: it will not happen again. Every time we catch you, we will disqualify the results. This is the statement that must come out of the State of Israel," Golan stated.