Mossad Joins Shin Bet in Probing Alleged Election Interference

The Mossad intelligence agency is now assisting the Shin Bet security agency in investigating suspicions of foreign interference in Israel's elections, particularly concerning alleged funding from Qatar. The Mossad's involvement is focused on aspects involving additional countries beyond Qatar, which is suspected of financing efforts to increase voter turnout within the Arab community.

Information obtained indicates that the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, was briefed on intelligence received. The Shin Bet chief, David Zini, sought Sohlberg's approval to present this information to the Prime Minister. Following this, Sohlberg met with Zini again to receive a comprehensive overview, after which he instructed Zini to open an investigation into suspected foreign funding and election bribery by Qatar.

The Shin Bet clarified that the intelligence was gathered as part of its legal mandate to detect foreign influence and did not originate from any political party. They emphasized that only Judge Sohlberg was privy to the information before the election's conclusion. The agency stressed that the investigation is focused and will not cast aspersions on any entire sector that voted democratically, stating that only those who acted illegally will be addressed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Unity Party leader Gadi Eisenkot, and Opposition leader Yair Lapid were personally updated by Zini at Sohlberg's request. Lapid commented that based on his knowledge of the material, there is no question about the election results and no impediment to the Knesset's swearing-in.

Member of Knesset Vladimir Beliak had previously requested a confidential meeting of the Elections Committee presidium, but Deputy Chairman Dean Livneh denied the request, stating that to his knowledge, claims of systematic damage to election integrity are unfounded. Livneh added that due to the ongoing and highly classified nature of the investigation, a presidium meeting is inappropriate.