Shin Bet Leadership Split: Zini Pushes for Expanded Interference Probe

Shin Bet Director David Zini is seeking to broaden the scope of the inquiry into alleged foreign election interference, a move that has drawn internal resistance from senior agency leaders. KAN News reported on Sunday that Zini wants to deploy additional investigative methods, a plan that three high-ranking officials believe is unnecessary for the current case.

The Shin Bet acknowledged the internal debate, telling The Jerusalem Post that the organization permits a wide range of diverse opinions during discussions. The agency stated it does not comment on the contents of closed meetings. According to the KAN report, Zini clashed with a department head and two other senior figures who argued that the intensity of the suspicions does not justify the use of those specific tools.

The disagreement centers on the strength of the evidence linking Qatar to funds received by a Knesset member of the Joint List. Investigators have yet to confirm that the money was used for illegal election-related activities. The three dissenting officials argued that the limited scope of the case creates legal obstacles to approving certain measures without further proof of criminal offenses.

A law enforcement source involved in the probe told KAN News that uncertainties regarding the origin of the funds and the severity of the suspected offenses complicate the process. A senior Shin Bet official added that the measures proposed by Zini would require special legal authorization, which may be difficult to secure given the current state of the evidence.

Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg addressed the situation on Sunday, stating that even if the suspicions are substantiated, they do not undermine the integrity of the vote or the overall results. Sohlberg appeared in a video statement alongside Zini, Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, and acting CEC director-general Dean Livne. He described the inquiry as covert and noted that it relies on classified intelligence managed by a joint team from the Shin Bet, police, and prosecution.

Sohlberg confirmed that the investigation will continue in parallel with the completion of the election process. The official results will be submitted to President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday, the day scheduled for the start of consultations on forming the next government.