Shin Bet Denies Political Source for Election Interference Probe

The Shin Bet security agency clarified on Sunday that information leading to an investigation into suspected election interference did not originate from any political entity. The agency emphasized that its investigation is focused and does not cast aspersions on any entire sector of the population. Concurrently, the Central Elections Committee announced that the probe would not impact the vote count or the publication of final results.

According to the Shin Bet, the information was gathered as part of its legal mandate to detect foreign influence operations and did not come from any political party. The agency stated that, apart from Judge Solberg, no one outside the Shin Bet was privy to the information until after the election concluded. The Shin Bet also noted that the investigation is ongoing and any statements about the nature of the suspicions are not on its behalf.

Upon completion, the findings will be presented to the Chairman of the Elections Committee, who is authorized to make decisions on the matter. The Shin Bet reiterated its status as a state organization operating strictly within its legal mandate and professional guidelines, stressing that its investigations are targeted and do not implicate entire democratic voting populations. Only those who acted illegally will be addressed.

In the past 24 hours, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yisrael Beiteinu party head Gadi Eisenkot, and Opposition Chairman Yair Lapid were personally updated on the core suspicions under investigation, with the approval and at the request of the Elections Committee Chairman.