Israel's Mossad Joins Probe into Alleged Foreign Influence in Elections

Israel's Mossad intelligence agency will join the investigation into suspicions that Qatar attempted to influence election results using tens of millions of shekels. The Shin Bet, which had prior intelligence regarding potential illicit fund transfers, requested the Mossad's assistance. The Mossad will help determine if foreign countries are connected to the affair, which reportedly concerns "consciousness operations" rather than the integrity of the vote itself.

Both Qatar and Turkey have denied any involvement. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, stated that certain Israeli politicians and media figures have launched a disinformation campaign to draw Qatar into Israeli political disputes. He sarcastically suggested that if their claims were true, Qatar would own all of Israel.

Turkey also rejected any connection to election interference, calling the allegations baseless and part of a deliberate disinformation campaign. The controversy began with a letter from Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Sohlberg to Shin Bet head David Zini. Sohlberg, while noting he had no information on the nature of the suspicions, emphasized the need to investigate foreign involvement to protect election integrity and prevent illegal activities undermining democracy.

In response, MK Vladimir Beliak of Yesh Atid called for a meeting of the Elections Committee presidency to review the evidence behind Sohlberg's directive. Din Livneh, acting director general of the Elections Committee, clarified that the elections were conducted lawfully and that, to their knowledge, there was no systematic damage to their integrity, citing statements from the police commissioner and the Shin Bet head.