Shin Bet Chief Angered by Legal Advisers Over Election Interference Probe

Shin Bet Director David Zini is reportedly furious with the Attorney General and the Shin Bet's own legal counsel for allegedly delaying an investigation into suspected foreign interference in the recent Knesset elections. Zini claims that hostile foreign entities transferred up to 100 million shekels to influence the elections, yet no suspect has been approved for investigation. He expressed frustration, asking, "What more is needed?" Zini presented evidence to Noam Sohlberg, Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, detailing the alleged transfer of funds and noting that suspects involved may also have ties to terrorism.

Zini explained that initial intelligence about the suspected interference was received shortly before the elections, describing it as a "small, lethal, smoking gun" of evidence. On election day itself, reports emerged from the field of money and fuel cards being offered to voters in exchange for their ballots, which Zini believes originated from foreign sources. This information, he stated, confirmed the earlier warnings.

The core of the dispute lies in the differing requirements for launching investigations. The Shin Bet argues that intelligence information is sufficient to justify investigative measures, while the Attorney General's office insists on a evidentiary basis, especially when dealing with public officials and extraordinary investigative tools. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated that "anyone who needs to be investigated will be investigated, but people will not be investigated without an evidentiary basis."

This disagreement is further complicated by a rare approval granted by Sohlberg for the Shin Bet to use exceptional technological and surveillance capabilities, despite Baharav-Miara's objections due to concerns about using such tools against Israeli citizens without adequate evidence. The suspicions, according to Zini, involve funds channeled through the Palestinian Authority from hostile countries aiming to influence votes for parties like Ra'am and the Joint List, though these remain allegations under investigation.

Sohlberg has clarified that these suspicions do not necessarily cast doubt on the overall election results, emphasizing that "suspicions are suspicions" and "solid evidence is required to challenge the election results." Meanwhile, Baharav-Miara accused the Shin Bet of delaying the investigation by withholding case materials for two days, while the Shin Bet maintained that all its actions are lawful and declined to comment on covert operational methods.