Election committee chief urges Shin Bet probe into alleged foreign funding

The Israeli Shin Bet is probing allegations of foreign funding, potentially from Qatar and Turkey, aimed at boosting Arab voter turnout in the country's upcoming election. Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg ordered the investigation following "severe suspicions" of improper foreign influence against Israeli interests.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has accused Arab parties of attempting to "steal" Israel's election, demanding law enforcement authorities probe the claims. The ruling party intends to submit hundreds of testimonies and pieces of evidence to the Central Elections Committee and relevant authorities to prove alleged irregularities at polling stations.

Channel 13 reported on the Shin Bet's investigation, which includes examining channels used by foreign sources to transfer funds. Sources of the alleged funds may include Qatar and Turkey, according to Army Radio reports. Investigators suspect that the funding routes used for election interference overlap with those linked to terrorist organizations and hostile nations.

The investigation marks an unprecedented probe into suspected foreign interference in Israel's electoral process, with the Shin Bet tasked with determining if foreign actors sought to influence voting through illicit funding.