Eisenkot slams Likud for ‘malicious attempt to deny election results’ amid foreign interference probe

The Likud and Yashar parties continued blasting each other on Sunday over the Shin Bet’s investigation into suspicions that money from foreign sources, reportedly including Qatar and Turkey, was used to buy votes for Arab parties during last week’s election.

The parties exchanged more blows after Sunday's joint statement by Central Election Committee Chairman Judge Noam Sohlberg, Shin Bet Director David Zini, and Attorney-General Gali Baharav Miara, who said the “serious” suspicions would not endanger the election outcome even if found to be true.

“It is highly perplexing that Justice Sohlberg describes these as very serious suspicions of foreign funding, while at the same time determining in advance that they have no effect on the election results, before the investigation has concluded,” the Likud said in a statement.

The party further claimed that “only 4,612 votes stood between a seat shifting from Ra’am to the right-wing bloc, which would have completely changed the election results and the political map.

“Until the investigation is completed, a dark cloud hangs over the election results in Israel.”

However, a well-known data analyst known as “Little Moiz” published an analysis on 𝕏, saying it would take 7,581 votes to shift a seat toward the Netanyahu bloc, but that it would benefit Shas, not Likud. “A seat for Likud would only come after 109,354 invalidated votes,” he argued.

Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot “welcomed” Sohlberg’s statement while blasting the Likud’s “despicable and malicious attempt to deny the election results, challenge the will of the public, smear an entire community, and drag Israel into another election.”

“Citizens of Israel, ignore the background noise and the hourly spin,” Eisenkot urged.

“The people are sovereign, and they have made their decision: the government responsible for the failure does not have a majority, and it has lost.”

The exchange came against the backdrop of coalition negotiations and contradictory reports on whether Eisenkot and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are seeking to discuss a unity government.

Sohlberg affirmed that “the elections for the 26th Knesset were conducted properly.”

“The investigation is at the covert stage, is based on classified information, and at this stage, naturally, it is not possible to disclose its details…. Recently, serious suspicions have come to light that require examination. They concern funding from foreign entities intended to influence the election campaign, and may have a security dimension.”

He emphasized: “We will investigate them fully and get to the root of the truth. At the same time, the claim that the body of evidence currently before us could undermine the election results as a whole is incorrect. The citizens of Israel went out to vote last Tuesday in record numbers. They expressed their position – and it will be respected.”

“Our position is that even if the suspicions are confirmed, this does not detract from the integrity of the election process or the election results as a whole.” Sohlberg also addressed Likud’s claims that the elections were “stolen” by the high Arab voter turnout, adding that “nothing in these remarks is intended to cast doubt on the vote of Arab society.”

“Citizens who went out to vote exercised their democratic right. Broad participation in elections is a welcome thing in Arab society, and in every community in Israel.”

Meanwhile, Kan News reported that “doubts have arisen” about evidence linking Qatar to funds allegedly received by a lawmaker from the Arab Joint List and used by the party during the election campaign.

The investigation has caused tensions between the Shin Bet director and three senior officials within the intelligence agency, Kan reported.

Zini is reportedly seeking to use additional intelligence-gathering tools, but the three officials believe the nature and severity of the suspicions do not warrant their use and have voiced their opposition to his approach.

An official in the law-enforcement system involved in the investigation also told Kan that his agency has faced a similar legal difficulty obtaining approval for certain measures due to the weakness of the evidentiary basis.

The Shin Bet responded to the report: “The Shin Bet and its head conduct a professional dialogue within the organization, which allows a broad range of different and varied opinions to be presented during discussions. Alongside this, we wish to clarify that we do not comment on what is said in closed discussions.”

At the same time, the pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 reported that Zini complained to Sohlberg that Shin Bet’s internal legal advisor was attempting to obstruct the investigation. Likud’s social media channels quickly echoed the report.

Israeli media reported last week that Shin Bet asked the Mossad to assist in the investigation. Shin Bet is tasked with Israel's domestic intelligence, while the Mossad will help investigate possible foreign ties, which usually fall under its authority.

The Israel Police has also been investigating a similar but separate case in which Ra’am party activists are suspected of bribing voters. However, the investigation appears to be stalling after the Beersheva Magistrate’s Court expressed reservations about the case on Sunday.