Full coverage· Security· Updated 18:57

Mossad to Assist in Probe of Alleged Foreign Election Interference

Israel's Mossad intelligence agency will join the Shin Bet security service in investigating suspected foreign interference in recent Israeli elections. The decision to involve the Mossad follows a request from the Shin Bet, which sought the foreign intelligence agency's expertise to determine if foreign states were involved in illicit activities.

3 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 17:09

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Mossad to Assist in Probe of Alleged Foreign Election Interference — Illustration by baba

What happened

01The Mossad will assist the Shin Bet in investigating suspected foreign interference in recent Israeli elections.
02The investigation focuses on allegations that multiple countries, particularly Qatar and Turkey, attempted to influence election outcomes.
03The Shin Bet requested the Mossad's assistance to investigate areas within its foreign intelligence purview.
04According to Vesty, the probe focuses on influence operations targeting public opinion rather than vote rigging or procedural violations.
05Vesty reported that the investigation was prompted by concerns raised by the Chairman of the Central Election Committee.
06Qatar and Turkey have denied the allegations, with Qatar calling them a disinformation campaign aimed at drawing it into Israeli political disputes.

The investigation focuses on allegations that several countries, particularly Qatar and Turkey, attempted to influence election outcomes. According to Vesty, the Shin Bet gathered intelligence prior to the elections regarding potential illicit financial transfers, and the probe is examining alleged influence operations targeting public opinion rather than vote rigging. Vesty also reported that the investigation was prompted by concerns raised by the Chairman of the Central Election Committee, while election officials maintained that the elections were conducted legally.

Both Qatar and Turkey have denied the allegations. According to Vesty, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, rejected the accusations on Thursday, October 29, calling them a disinformation campaign aimed at drawing Qatar into Israel's internal political disputes.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 21:33

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