Israel Elections Chief Probes Foreign Interference Claims, Arab Parties Denounce 'Netanyahu Campaign'

The Chairman of Israel's Central Elections Committee, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, has requested the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) investigate suspicions of foreign attempts to influence the recent Knesset elections, including alleged funding from Qatar to encourage voting among the Arab community for Arab parties. The Joint List coalition vehemently denied these allegations, characterizing them as a "timed campaign, funded by elements in the Likud," aimed at undermining the election results and their legitimacy. This campaign, they claim, began months prior and was amplified by Channel 14, a media outlet aligned with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, culminating in videos released by Netanyahu on election day repeating claims of election theft.

Following Sohlberg's request to Shin Bet head David Zini, MK Vladimir Belyak of the Yesh Atid party asked Sohlberg to convene an urgent, classified meeting of the Elections Committee presidency to present evidence. However, Dean Livna, acting director general of the committee, rejected this request, citing the ongoing and highly classified nature of the investigation. Livna's response also stated that the elections were conducted lawfully and that the integrity of the ballot boxes was maintained, asserting that claims of systematic damage to election integrity are baseless.

Shin Bet head Zini himself stated on election day that Israeli elections are secure and supervised effectively. However, Ynet reported that the Shin Bet possessed intelligence about potential illicit fund transfers before the elections but did not inform Sohlberg at the time. A senior security source reportedly described the affair as much smaller than portrayed in the media, raising questions about Zini's conduct and the discrepancy between the intelligence held by the Shin Bet and his public statements.

The Movement for Quality of Government has appealed to the Attorney General, demanding an investigation into the Shin Bet's handling of the foreign interference allegations, specifically questioning why the information was withheld from the Elections Committee chairman and why the agency did not act to thwart the alleged foreign intervention. The article also notes controversy surrounding Zini's appointment by Netanyahu, mentioning his affiliation with a right-wing, messianic stream and a recorded statement where he declared his loyalty to the elected leadership, meaning Netanyahu.