Israel attorney general asks intel services to provide proof of poll fraud

Israel's attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara has requested the Shin Bet intelligence agency provide evidence of alleged electoral fraud by Arab Israeli parties in last week's legislative elections. (Reuters) The attorney general stated that any necessary questioning would occur, but investigations must be based on evidence. "If the Shin Bet or any other authority holds evidence that would justify opening an investigation, it is invited to present it," said Baharav-Miara in a statement to the media.

The attorney general's comments follow media reports that head of Shin Bet, David Zini, a close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has asked to interrogate the leaders of Arab parties in connection with the investigation. Baharav-Miara emphasized that Shin Bet has not submitted any evidence to her special investigation team, accusing the agency of obstructing the probe into alleged manipulation of the electoral process by foreign actors.

Netanyahu's Likud party responded to the attorney general's statement by accusing her of obstructing the investigation and covering up the alleged case of electoral fraud.