Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid accused loyalists to the government within the security agencies on Tuesday evening of attempting to steal the results of the Knesset elections, calling on opposition parties to hurry to form a new government. His comments came after the revelation of a request by Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) head David Barnea to investigate three prominent Arab politicians, based on suspicions of foreign interference in the elections, despite the lack of evidence justifying the investigation.
Legal rejection of the investigation
Lapid said, via the American platform "X": "What we are witnessing tonight is an attempt to destroy democracy and steal the elections with the help of government loyalists within the security establishment." He added, "This is a direct threat to our democracy by people who refuse to accept defeat." He called on all state institutions to counter this attempt, urging opposition parties to set aside their differences and form a government "as soon as possible."
Internal disagreements over evidence
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority revealed on Tuesday that Barnea requested the investigation of United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas, Hadash-Ta'al leader Ahmad Tibi, and Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh. It clarified that law enforcement agencies see a lack of evidence allowing for the investigation of the three politicians. According to "Yedioth Ahronoth," Barnea requested that the investigation into suspicions of foreign interference be classified as a security offense, thereby enabling Shin Bet to use expanded powers, including wiretapping and preventing suspects from meeting their lawyers.
Results to be announced soon
However, the State Attorney for the Government, Gali Baharav-Miara, rejected the request, deeming it "illegal," and emphasized that citizens or elected officials cannot be investigated without evidence justifying it. In response, the "Likud" party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused the State Attorney of obstructing the investigation and covering up suspicions of interference in the elections. The crisis escalates on the eve of the announcement of the final Knesset election results, scheduled for Wednesday, following the failure of Netanyahu's camp to secure the parliamentary majority needed to form a government. Central Elections Committee Chairman Judge Noam Solberg confirmed on Tuesday that the law requires the results to be published on Wednesday and that no one has the authority to prevent their announcement.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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