Police Reportedly Find No Basis for Security Offenses in Election-Interference Inquiry

Police reportedly concluded on Tuesday, November 10, that Shin Bet intelligence examined in the inquiry into suspected foreign influence in the election for the 26th Knesset did not provide a sufficient basis for security offenses. The assessment followed a review involving police, prosecutors and the security agency. The material had been presented at a joint meeting on Thursday, November 5. The dispute concerned whether the intelligence justified questioning senior Arab political figures and handling the matter as a security investigation, which would allow broader investigative powers. Shin Bet chief David Zini had reportedly sought to question Mansour Abbas, Ahmad Tibi, Ayman Odeh and Sami Abu Shehadeh. Sagi Keizler, who heads Likud’s election-integrity headquarters, challenged the police handling of the complaints. He claimed that 1,281 detailed complaints had reached the police commissioner’s office more than a week earlier, including dozens concerning suspected election bribery in Arab communities, and alleged that none had been examined. Keizler said more than 1,200 polling-station committee members were prepared to give testimony and urged police to investigate. “The police should not look for excuses,” he said.