Shin Bet expands election interference probe to suspected Palestinian Authority funding - report
The investigation remains in its preliminary stages, with investigators yet to establish whether money was transferred, how much was involved, or what its intended purpose may have been.
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is expanding its investigation into alleged election interference to include suspicions that the Palestinian Authority may have transferred funds to members of Arab political parties in order to sway the October 27 Israeli election, according to a report by N12. The investigation is still in its early stages, and investigators have not yet confirmed the specifics of the alleged money transfers or their intended purpose.
The broader inquiry is also examining claims that Qatar funded a member of the Joint List, an Arab political coalition, with the aim of boosting voter turnout. Sources indicate that investigators have identified a path through which funds from Qatar reached a Joint List political figure to influence the election. Additionally, there are allegations that an unnamed current Joint List MK received thousands of shekels from Qatar, which the party subsequently used during its election campaign.
The official election results are set to be presented to President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday, following which discussions on forming the next government are expected to commence. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has accused the Attorney-General, Gali Baharav-Miara, of obstructing the Shin Bet investigation.
Channel 13 reported that Baharav-Miara required approval before questioning parliamentary aides from the Joint List in connection with the investigation. Likud contends that Baharav-Miara is applying a double standard to the current investigation compared to previous cases involving government officials, describing her decision as "selective enforcement on steroids."
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
