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Israel Online · Oct 29, 2026

Israel Online — text status

The Central Elections Committee Justice Noam Sohlberg Deputy President of the Supreme Court Chairman of the Central Elections Committee for the 26th Knesset Jerusalem, October 28, 2026 To: Mr. David Zini Head of the Israel Security Agency Dear Sir, Subject: Directive to Investigate Suspicions Concerning Foreign Financing and Suspected Election Bribery by Foreign Elements The Elections Service is the core of the democratic system. Its integrity, and the integrity of the election process, are essential to the existence of our society. The Supreme Court has previously addressed this matter, stating: > "In order to realize the important and fundamental objective stated above, namely, fair and genuine representation of the will of the voting public as reflected in the results of the elections to the Knesset, and in order to ensure that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, without fraud, forgery, bribery, or intimidation, strict care must be taken to preserve the integrity of the elections and their fairness. Every citizen has the right to vote and to express their political will through the ballot box, doing so freely and according to their own judgment. Elections in which votes are bought and sold, or in which voting is influenced by improper means, are not democratic elections in the true sense. The integrity of the election process must be protected, and its results must reflect the genuine will of the electorate, without improper interference." (HCJ 71/83, Shmuel Flatto-Sharon v. State of Israel, 38(2) 757.) Recently, suspicions have been brought before me concerning improper influence, through foreign financing by external elements acting against the Israeli interest, on the elections. There is no need to elaborate on the nature of these suspicions. However, precisely because the suspicions concern foreign elements, there is a natural obligation to act to safeguard the integrity of the Knesset elections and to prevent unlawful activity intended to undermine the foundations of the democratic system and prevent free elections. Accordingly, I hereby instruct you to take every action required to investigate the substance of the aforementioned suspicions and to make use of the powers of the Israel Security Agency for that purpose, in accordance with the provisions of the law and the regulations. Only in this way can we ensure public confidence in the electoral process and the integrity of the democratic process. In view of the fixed timetables prescribed by law for submitting election appeals, I ask that you do everything possible to present your findings to me, insofar as any are available, during the coming week. Respectfully, Noam Sohlberg, Justice Deputy President of the Supreme Court Chairman of the Central Elections Committee for the 26th Knesset Copies: Attorney Dina Zilber, Acting Director General Attorney Amit Aisman, State Attorney Important distinction: The letter itself does not name Qatar, Turkey, Arab voters, Ra'am, specific sums of money, or proven voter bribery. It refers to suspicions of improper foreign influence through financing and directs the Shin Bet chief to investigate. Those additional details come from media reports, not from the text of this letter. Translation note: This follows the two-page image closely. The long judicial quotation is rendered in English rather than reproduced as an independently verified official English translation, and the small-print legal citation is difficult to read at this resolution.
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