Israel Attorney General Requests Shin Bet Update on Alleged Election Fraud Probe
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara asked Israel's Shin Bet to provide a status report on its investigation into claims of electoral fraud involving Arab parties, as political leaders prepare to receive official election results.
Israel's attorney general has asked the Shin Bet intelligence service to submit a progress report on its probe into alleged electoral fraud involving Arab parties, according to a statement from the attorney general's office. Gali Baharav-Miara said that any authority holding evidence that could justify opening an investigation should present it, and added that no one would be investigated without evidentiary grounds.
President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to receive the official results of the October 27 elections at midday (1000 GMT) and will then begin consultations with political parties. The electoral commission has indicated that the publication of results will proceed as planned, despite requests from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party to delay the release until the Shin Bet investigation is concluded.
Netanyahu and Likud have recently circulated accusations on social media alleging manipulation of the vote by Arab parties, which secured a record 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The head of Shin Bet, David Zini, reportedly sought permission to question leaders of the Arab parties as part of the investigation.
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot criticized the Likud and Netanyahu for what he described as an attempt to undermine democratic processes, calling the situation a "dangerous constitutional crisis." The opposition bloc, which holds 48 seats, pledged to form a government quickly while emphasizing conditions such as recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and condemnation of Hamas.
Political analysts note that public opinion among Jewish Israelis is split on the inclusion of Arab parties in a governing coalition, while right-wing voters largely oppose it. The Arab parties, representing about 20 percent of the population, have condemned the Hamas attack of October 7 but have not labeled the group as a terrorist organization.
Netanyahu has called for a broad national government led by his Likud party but has ruled out a coalition with Arab-majority lists, alleging they support terrorism and deny the existence of the Jewish state.