Political Turmoil Over Election Investigation

A major political storm. Following Channel 14 News' revelation earlier this week, we reported last night on an extended meeting between Shin Bet chief Zini and Judge Zolberg, in which he accused the attorney general of deliberately obstructing the investigation into election-rigging in the Arab sector.

The grave reports about the attorney general's interference, as she tries to thwart the election-rigging investigation, are proof of what I've been saying for four years: she should have been fired, removed from office.

I now demand that she be taken out, moved aside, and not be allowed to interfere in the election-rigging investigation.

She's contaminating the investigation. Shin Bet chief David Zini asked Mara to investigate very senior officials in the Arab parties, including sitting members of the Knesset, but Mara is blocking it.

Late last night, the attorney general issued a direct statement against Zini, and it seems she revealed who is behind the leaks and briefings against the Shin Bet chief, an incident that amounts to obstruction of an investigation.

In an extremely unusual move, the attorney general The legal department wishes to clarify that in a country governed by the rule of law, citizens or elected officials cannot be investigated without evidence to justify it. public officials without evidence to justify it.

If the Shin Bet has evidence that justifies an investigation, it is invited to present it.

Justice Minister Levin attacked: “Not a shred of shame.

Over the investigations into Netanyahu, who is dead.”

By contrast, the left was quick to attack the Shin Bet chief with harsh labels. Opposition leader Lapid called Zini “a government plant in the security establishment” and claimed this was an attempt to crush the democracy and steal the election. Lapid added that Zini’s remarks have one outcome: they eliminate any

possibility of a unity government led by Netanyahu. Eisenkot was explicit about Zini: “Woe to anyone who abuses their authority and position for political considerations.

To their distress, Likud and Netanyahu are trying to carry out a pogrom against democracy and the rule of law, and are trying to drag us all into a dangerous constitutional crisis.”

Today, in light of the events, the Central Elections Committee convened.

At the hearing, the Shin Bet’s firm position was made clear.

The intelligence presented apparently points to widespread phenomena of large sums of money being funneled into Israel from foreign countries, originating with parties with hidden interests and even hostile ones, intended to advance foreign influence, and requiring further intelligence- gathering and investigation.

Foreign funding and influence operations involving sums of enormous proportions are widespread, affecting more than thousands of people and more.

In recent days, voices have been heard calling for the election results to be cast into doubt and their validity challenged, some of them seriously.

The suspicions require a thorough inquiry, and that is indeed underway.

We announced this publicly. All the relevant parties are working to get to the truth, so we don't undermine the efforts being made or expose confidential information. I cannot elaborate further.

At the end of a heated debate, the committee approved the election results by a majority of fifteen in favor, against two representatives of Otzma Yehudit who opposed.

Fourteen representatives of Likud, United Torah Judaism, Shas, and Religious Zionism chose to abstain.

I am in favor. I can't even abstain because of the silence.

I think I say these things about the opinion of the other, other coalition factions too. coalition.

I can't even abstain with a clear conscience if we don't hear a truly clear statement before the vote that you will continue, because the moment we disperse and sign this, you will continue to insist that the investigation be carried through to the end,

without obstacles and, of course, subject to the law. What you said, and I want to hear this so I know that I am not— No, even abstaining does not mean I'm lending a hand to ensuring that these things are not legislated and fully investigated.

The incident is far from over. It's currently unclear how it will affect the investigation into the affair.

Right- wing parties are preparing to challenge the results that were submitted later this month.