Attorney General blocks Shin Bet bid to question four Arab lawmakers

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara denied a request on Tuesday for the Shin Bet to interrogate four senior lawmakers from Arab political parties. The decision halts a specific line of questioning in an ongoing investigation into claims of foreign influence during the recent elections.

Shin Bet Director David Zini had sought permission to question Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List, Mansour Abbas of Ra'am, Sami Abu Shehadeh of Balad, and one additional official whose name has not been released. Zini’s request followed a directive from Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee. Sohlberg approved the use of technological and surveillance capabilities, citing severe suspicions of improper influence through foreign funding by entities acting against Israeli interests.

Baharav-Miara’s office issued a statement explaining the denial. The statement said it is not permissible to interrogate citizens or elected officials without evidence to justify such action. The office emphasized that Israel is a state governed by the rule of law. The attorney general’s office noted that the Shin Bet had failed to transfer collected investigative materials to the special investigative team over the past few days. This delay, the office said, effectively slowed the handling of the matter.

The statement was published in response to what the office called erroneous reports from Likud and other coalition factions. Those factions accused Baharav-Miara of trying to delay the security agency’s efforts. The office concluded that the law enforcement system is working swiftly and professionally to uncover the truth based on the material currently in its possession.

Mansour Abbas reacted to the news by condemning the investigation reports as unacceptable. He described the probe as an attempt to tarnish the Arab public. Abbas stated that nobody in his party fears any investigation. He said the party is prepared to appear before any law enforcement authority in accordance with the directives of the Attorney General and the judicial system. Abbas called on state authorities to respect the will of the voters and to act with a sense of state responsibility toward all citizens.

Likud responded later on Tuesday, accusing the attorney general of attempting to conceal the truth from the citizens of Israel. The party said she is tying the hands of the Shin Bet and refusing to allow an investigation. Likud pointed out that this stance is contrary to the position taken by CEC Chair Soam Sohlberg, who supports a thorough and comprehensive probe. The party also charged that opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan are engaging in incitement against the heads of Israel's defense establishment.

Yair Golan of the Democrats responded earlier in the day, writing on X that Zini had turned the Shin Bet into a political tool. Golan claimed this was part of Netanyahu's campaign to undermine the election results. He called it a grave warning sign and urged Change bloc leaders to act urgently to form a government. He said the next government would need to thoroughly examine Netanyahu's appointments, including Zini's, so that security institutions serve the state rather than political interests.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded that Baharav-Miara be removed from her post. He described her decision as proof that his demand was valid. Ben-Gvir accused her of contaminating the investigation against the Arab party lawmakers. He claimed the officials stole the elections and stated that the people of Israel do not accept the theft of the elections.