Israel AG Says Fraud Probes Show No Impact on Election Results
Gali Baharav-Miara stated that investigations into potential misconduct lack the evidentiary basis to alter the outcome of last month's vote.
By Marco Whitaker ·
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated on Sunday that ongoing fraud investigations have not uncovered evidence that would influence the results of last month's election.
Speaking at a Justice Ministry seminar in Eilat, the attorney general addressed two active probes into electoral misconduct. She noted that her office has not identified a basis capable of altering the vote count. Baharav-Miara added that any new information would be examined according to standard procedures.
The comments follow a dispute involving Shin Bet chief David Zini, who requested to question three leaders of Arab political parties. Baharav-Miara objected to the request, citing a lack of necessary evidence for such interrogations. The political fallout has intensified, with Likud and other right-wing parties claiming the election was stolen without releasing supporting data. Conversely, Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot accused those parties of exploiting the situation to undermine public trust in the electoral process.
Baharav-Miara emphasized that the decision to investigate is professional and objective. "When an evidentiary basis exists, those who need to be questioned will be questioned," she said. She added that the process is not determined by political affiliation or ethnicity but by equitable standards. State Attorney Amit Aisman, also speaking at the event, agreed that a democratic state requires an evidentiary foundation before law enforcement can question a citizen under caution.
The investigations focus on specific allegations of misconduct. The Shin Bet and other agencies are probing reports that foreign states funneled money to the Joint List of Arab parties through disguised donations. Meanwhile, police are examining separate claims of vote-buying in the Negev region. Channel 12 news reported on Saturday that the vote-buying case may be closed soon, indicating that both investigations are facing structural challenges.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies have questioned the validity of the vote. Likud is preparing an appeal, potentially covering part or all of the results. The party's lawyer stated on Saturday that the appeal will be based on allegations that Arab parties used electronic tracking methods to boost voter turnout, a practice banned by the High Court of Justice. Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg, who chairs the Central Elections Committee, has maintained that the alleged fraud, if proven, would not be extensive enough to change the outcome.
The next scheduled step involves the continued monitoring of the situation by the Central Elections Committee. Baharav-Miara's office will keep Sohlberg updated on the progress of the investigations. The legal team for Likud will finalize the details of their planned appeal against the election results.
