Israeli attorney general blocks Shin Bet probe of Arab lawmakers over election fraud claims
November 4, 2026 at 02:27 AM
Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has blocked Shin Bet's request to investigate three Arab lawmakers over alleged foreign interference in the Knesset elections.
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Baharav-Miara rejected Shin Bet chief David Zini's request to interrogate Mansour Abbas, Ahmad Tibi, and Sami Abu Shahadeh, citing a lack of evidence.
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She said the law bars investigating citizens without grounds, urged Shin Bet to supply evidence, and accused it of withholding materials from the prosecution's special team.
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Likud accused her of obstructing the probe, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said Netanyahu and Likud are pursuing a "massacre against democracy" and a constitutional crisis.
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The two Arab lists won 19 seats in last week's Knesset elections, with Arab turnout exceeding 80 percent.