developing· Security· Updated 00:58

Shin Bet Chief Accused of Subverting Law in Bid to Question Arab Politicians

Shin Bet chief David Zini is seeking authorization to question four senior Arab politicians over alleged foreign interference in Israel's recent parliamentary elections. Investigators are examining claims that funding from Qatar and Turkey was provided to campaigns to improperly influence voters. The targeted politicians include Ra'am party chairman Mansour Abbas, Ta'al leader Ahmad Tibi, Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, and a fourth unnamed senior lawmaker.

3 newsrooms · 1 language · since 3 Nov, 21:34

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What happened

01Shin Bet chief David Zini is seeking to question four Arab politicians over alleged foreign election interference involving funding from Qatar and Turkey.
02The targeted politicians include Mansour Abbas of Ra'am, Ahmad Tibi of Ta'al, Sami Abu Shehadeh of Balad, and an unnamed senior lawmaker.
03Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara refused to authorize the questioning of Abbas, Tibi, and Abu Shehadeh until the Shin Bet provides supporting evidence.
04The Attorney General publicly rebuked Zini for undermining democratic norms and withholding investigative materials from senior officials and the police.
05The Joint List accused Zini of acting as a political tool for Prime Minister Netanyahu to delegitimize Arab voters and their representatives.
06Likud accused Attorney General Baharav-Miara of obstructing the investigation into foreign interference and vote-buying.
07The election chief confirmed that the election results remain valid and will be published as scheduled despite the ongoing investigation.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has requested evidence against Abbas, Tibi, and Abu Shehadeh before approving their questioning, stating that substantial evidence has only been presented against the unnamed lawmaker. The Attorney General publicly rebuked Zini for subverting democratic norms, while disagreements persist over Zini's push to classify the affair as a security offense. A joint police investigation has stalled because the Shin Bet has not shared its intelligence with the police.

The Joint List accused Zini, a Netanyahu appointee, of acting as a political operative for the Prime Minister to delegitimize Arab voters. Conversely, Likud accused the Attorney General of obstructing the investigation. Despite the ongoing controversy and probes, the election chief confirmed that the election results are valid and will be published as scheduled.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 01:53

Latest report: The Times of Israel. Read The Times of Israel’s original