Israel's Attorney-General Blocks Shin Bet Move to Question Four Arab Lawmakers

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara rejected a request on Tuesday to interrogate four senior Arab lawmakers. The move blocks an initial step by Shin Bet Director David Zini to question leaders of the Joint List and Ra'am parties. The investigation concerns alleged foreign interference in the recent Knesset elections.

The Attorney-General's office issued a statement explaining the denial. It cited a lack of sufficient evidence to justify interrogating elected officials. The office described Israel as a state governed by the rule of law. The statement was released in response to what officials called erroneous reports about delays in the probe.

According to Maariv, Zini sought to question Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List, Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas, Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, and one unnamed official. N12 News reported that Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, had previously approved the use of surveillance capabilities in the investigation. Sohlberg launched the probe based on severe suspicions of improper influence through foreign funding by entities acting against Israeli interests.

The Attorney-General's office noted that the Shin Bet had not transferred collected investigative materials to the special investigative team in recent days. This delay effectively slowed the handling of the matter. The office stated that law enforcement is working swiftly to uncover the truth based on the material currently in its possession. Decisions regarding the investigation will be made accordingly.

Mansour Abbas reacted to the reports by calling the investigation attempts unacceptable. He described the media coverage as an attempt to tarnish the Arab public. Abbas stated that his party does not fear any investigation. He said the party is prepared to appear before law enforcement authorities in accordance with Attorney-General directives and judicial system rules. He urged state authorities to respect the will of voters and act with state responsibility toward all citizens.

Abbas also denied allegations that he backed the investigation at the time it was suggested. He emphasized that the judicial system is bound by the law rather than by other political actors. The Ra'am chairman called for the establishment to uphold the law and the established order of governance.

Likud, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party, released a response accusing the Attorney-General of attempting to conceal the truth. The party claimed Baharav-Miara is tying the hands of the Shin Bet. This contrasts with the position of CEC Chair Soam Sohlberg, who supports a thorough probe. Likud described this as a recurring pattern of behavior. The party further claimed that opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan are engaging in incitement against the heads of Israel’s defense establishment.

Yair Golan responded earlier on Tuesday, claiming Zini turned the Shin Bet into a political tool. He called the decision a grave warning sign. Golan wrote on X/Twitter that the Change bloc must understand the urgency of forming a government. He stated that the next government needs to examine appointments made by Netanyahu, including Zini's appointment. Golan argued that security institutions should serve the state and citizens, not political interests.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded the Attorney-General be removed over the issue. He described the decision as proof of his previous demands. Ben-Gvir wrote on X that Baharav-Miara tried to incriminate him and ordered the Shin Bet chief to act against him. He claimed she is contaminating the investigation and that the Arab party officials stole the elections. He stated that the people of Israel do not accept the theft of the elections.