Likud Demands Probe into Alleged Foreign Interference in Israeli Elections
Likud has petitioned the Central Elections Committee and the Shin Bet to investigate suspected foreign diplomatic interference regarding ultra-Orthodox support for Gadi Eisenkot.
The Likud party has urgently petitioned the Central Elections Committee Chairman, Justice Noam Solberg, demanding an immediate investigation into suspected foreign interference in the upcoming Knesset elections. The appeal follows a media report indicating that diplomatic representatives from friendly foreign nations approached ultra-Orthodox political figures to explore potential support for Gadi Eisenkot and the formation of a government led by him.
Likud Demands Shin Bet Involvement
In the official letter sent by attorney Ilan Bombach, Likud requested that the intelligence be verified and investigated by the Shin Bet. Copies of the correspondence were also sent to the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini. The petition stems from a report published in Israel Hayom, which stated that foreign diplomats recently contacted ultra-Orthodox political actors to gauge whether their parties would back Eisenkot as prime minister.
The discussions reportedly included the possibility of ultra-Orthodox factions joining such a coalition and identified the prominent rabbis who hold ultimate political authority within the ultra-Orthodox community. However, the letter did not specify whether the foreign diplomats merely sought to understand positions or actively attempted to exert influence.
Defending Democratic Integrity
Bombach emphasized that foreign actions aimed at shaping Israel's government composition could cross the line of acceptable diplomatic conduct. He cited Section 7 of the Shin Bet Law, which mandates the internal security agency to safeguard democratic regimes and state institutions.
"Planned activity by foreign nations to promote support for a specific candidate, pressure political actors, or coordinate maneuvers exceeds standard diplomatic expression and severely damages the core of Israeli democracy," Bombach wrote.
While the petition does not name the countries involved or present independent evidence verifying the press report, Likud urges Justice Solberg to take prompt measures to eliminate any risk of foreign interference in the democratic process.
