Shin Bet Chief and AG Hold 'Calm Down' Meeting Amid Election Probe Dispute

Shin Bet Director David Zini and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara held an extended "calm down" meeting at the Shin Bet headquarters on Wednesday, aiming to resolve their ongoing dispute over the investigation into suspected foreign interference in the recent elections. During the meeting, they agreed on a joint work plan, with Zini assuring Baharav-Miara that he would operate within the law and cease violating her directives. He also committed to promptly transferring investigation materials to the joint team.

Sources close to the investigation criticized Zini, with one stating he "throws names without evidence and parrots the Likud talking points." Others from law enforcement likened the situation to the "trust crisis in the Bus 300 affair 40 years ago," warning that "if it turns out there is no substance to the statements, it cannot be ignored." Concerns were also raised by Shin Bet sources that the agency's legal advisor is "completely sidelined" and that "heavy pressure is being applied on Zini to dismiss him."

Earlier, following Baharav-Miara's unusual statement criticizing Zini over the election interference probe, President Yitzhak Herzog called the Attorney General to express his support. The conversation occurred shortly before the official results of the 26th Knesset elections were announced, amidst coalition claims that "the elections were stolen." Herzog confirmed speaking with both Baharav-Miara and Zini, acknowledging the inherent tension between security agencies and legal counsel in a democracy.

The Attorney General's statement came after Zini met with Herzog and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and also with Central Elections Committee Chair Judge Noam Sohlberg. Zini reportedly asked Sohlberg not to provide classified information to politicians and complained that Baharav-Miara was "not letting him investigate properly." Previously, Zini had requested to question Mansour Abbas, Ahmad Tibi, and Sami Abu Shehadeh under caution. However, sources indicated that the Shin Bet was not cooperating with Sohlberg's team, withholding materials and solid information, thus delaying the investigation.

In her statement, Baharav-Miara emphasized that "in a state of law, citizens or public officials cannot be investigated without evidence." She invited anyone with evidence to present it, stating that "anyone who needs to be investigated will be investigated, but people will not be investigated without an evidentiary basis." She also noted the Shin Bet's two-day delay in transferring materials, hindering the special investigation team's work.

The Likud party attacked the Attorney General, accusing her of trying to "hide the truth from Israeli citizens" and "sabotaging and covering up the serious affair of election contamination by foreign elements." They claimed she was "tying the Shin Bet's hands" and preventing a thorough investigation, contrary to Judge Sohlberg's support for a comprehensive inquiry. The party also alleged a pattern of behavior, citing previous cases, and accused her of enabling figures like Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan to incite against security officials.

Mansour Abbas stated that attempts to tarnish the Arab public are "unacceptable" and that he and Ra'am members "do not fear any investigation." He called for state authorities to respect the voters' decision and act responsibly towards all citizens. The Joint List condemned Zini's alleged attempts to launch investigations against Arab public officials, viewing it as part of the Likud's campaign against the Arab public and its political representation. They asserted that Zini, appointed by Netanyahu, is acting as a political arm for him and vowed not to allow Arab citizens' votes or representatives to be perceived as a threat.

Gadi Eisenkot sent a message to Zini, stating that "servants of the security system, law enforcement, and public service in Israel are servants of the kingdom, not the king." He warned against corrupting authority for political considerations and accused the Likud and Netanyahu of attempting a "pogrom against democracy and the rule of law" to undermine public trust in the election results. Yair Golan accused Zini of turning the Shin Bet into a "political tool" for Netanyahu's campaign to challenge election results, calling it a "serious warning sign" and urging the formation of a change government to review security appointments.