Mossad Joins Probe Into Alleged Turkish, Qatari Election Interference

Israel's Mossad intelligence agency will assist in an investigation into suspicions that Qatar attempted to influence the country's recent elections, allocating tens of millions of shekels for the effort. The foreign intelligence service's involvement will focus on aspects within its purview, according to information released on Friday, October 30. This decision followed a request from the Shin Bet, which had gathered intelligence prior to the elections regarding potential illicit financial transfers. The Shin Bet, citing its mandate to prevent security threats, sought Mossad's expertise to determine if foreign states were involved. The investigation is reportedly focused on alleged influence operations targeting public opinion, not on vote rigging or procedural violations. Both Qatar and Turkey have previously denied any involvement in such activities. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, stated on October 29 that his country rejects accusations from some Israeli politicians and media outlets, calling them a disinformation campaign aimed at drawing Qatar into Israel's internal political disputes. He sarcastically noted that if all claims were true, Qatar would already own Israel. Turkey also issued a strong denial, calling similar allegations baseless and part of a deliberate disinformation campaign. The scandal was triggered by a letter from Noam Sohlberg, Chairman of the Central Election Committee, to Shin Bet head David Zini. Sohlberg emphasized the importance of election integrity and the need for a thorough investigation into suspicions involving foreign entities. In response, acting Director General of the Central Election Committee, Din Livne, acting with Sohlberg's consent, stated that the Knesset elections were conducted legally and that claims of systematic violations lacked basis, with police and Shin Bet statements on election day corroborating this. Knesset Member Vladimir Belyak of the Yesh Atid party called for a meeting of the Central Election Committee presidium to review the evidence prompting Sohlberg's request.