not everywhere· Security· Updated 4 Nov, 23:58

Shin Bet Chief and Legal Advisor Clash Over MKs' Interrogation

Shin Bet Chief David Zini and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara held an extended working meeting on Wednesday to resolve a dispute over an investigation into alleged foreign election interference. The meeting at Shin Bet headquarters followed an unusual intervention by President Isaac Herzog, who urged cooperation between the security and legal bodies.

3 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 4 Nov, 21:02

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What happened

01Shin Bet Chief David Zini and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara met on Wednesday to resolve a dispute over an election interference probe.
02The Shin Bet suspects four Arab lawmakers of receiving foreign funding to influence the recent elections.
03Attorney General Baharav-Miara refused to permit the interrogation of Mansour Abbas, Ahmad Tibi, and Sami Abu Shehadeh due to a lack of evidence.
04The Attorney General permitted the investigation of Ayman Odeh because sufficient evidence was already present.
05President Isaac Herzog intervened in the dispute, calling for cooperation and acknowledging the inherent tension between security and legal bodies.
06Baharav-Miara accused the Shin Bet of withholding investigation materials from the special investigative team.
07Central Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg stated that the current suspicions do not invalidate the election results.

The dispute arose after Zini requested to investigate four Arab lawmakers under caution, including Ra'am Chairman Mansour Abbas, Ta'al Chairman Ahmad Tibi, Balad Chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, and Ayman Odeh. The Shin Bet suspects these public representatives of receiving foreign funds to influence the recent elections. Critics questioned the timing of the request, which came shortly after election results were announced, with some viewing it as an attempt to delay their publication.

Baharav-Miara refused to allow the questioning of Abbas, Tibi, and Abu Shehadeh, stating that the Shin Bet has not provided sufficient evidence to justify the interrogation of public representatives. She also accused the Shin Bet of withholding investigation materials from the special investigative team, which was established on the recommendation of Central Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg. However, Baharav-Miara permitted the investigation of Ayman Odeh due to existing evidence.

Sohlberg stated that the current suspicions do not invalidate the election results. President Herzog acknowledged the inherent tension between the security services and the legal system in a democracy, noting that such tension has always existed in Israel and will continue to exist.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 01:51

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