National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for the arrest of Arab party leaders after the Central Elections Committee called on the Shin Bet to investigate allegations of foreign interference in Israel’s election.
“The Shin Bet should order the arrest of the leaders of the Arab parties suspected of involvement with Qatari funds as early as this morning, along with all other suspects in the case, including figures within the Muslim Brotherhood and their offshoots, provided there is a legal basis for their arrest,” said Ben-Gvir.
השב״כ צריך להורות עוד הבוקר על מעצרם של ראשי המפלגות הערביות החשודים במעורבות בכסף קטארי, ושל כל יתר החשודים בפרשה, לרבות גורמים באחים המוסלמים ובגרורותיהם, ככל שקיימת עילה חוקית למעצרם. מדובר כאן ב-27 באוקטובר פוליטי!
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) October 29, 2026
The Shin Bet launched the investigation following a directive issued by Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg, citing “severe suspicions… regarding improper influence through foreign funding by entities acting against Israeli interests during the elections.”
The investigation is examining alleged funding channels, including suspected links to networks previously associated with terrorist organizations, as well as reports of envelopes containing cash and voting slips for the Ra’am party being intercepted.
Suspected sources of funds, which have allegedly utilized channels linked to terrorist organizations, include Qatar and Turkey, according to preliminary Shin Bet investigations.
Eisenkot, opposition leaders react to shaken election integrity
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said he is in contact with the relevant officials about the situation.
“The State of Israel must do everything in its power to protect the integrity of the elections against any attempt at interference, political spin, or manipulation, and thoroughly investigate every complaint,” a spokesperson for Eisenkot wrote in a statement.
אני נמצא בקשר עם הגורמים הרלוונטיים ומקבל עדכונים בנוגע לחשדות על מעורבות זרה בבחירות. על מדינת ישראל לשמור מכל משמר על טוהר הבחירות מפני כל ניסיון התערבות, ספינים והטייה ולבחון כל תלונה לעומק. מנגד, אסור לאפשר לגורמים פוליטיים לנצל את המצב ולהשפיע על מועד השבעת הכנסת ה-26.
— Gadi Eisenkot – גדי איזנקוט (@gadi_eisenkot) October 29, 2026
“At the same time, political actors must not be allowed to exploit the situation to influence the date of the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset.”
Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman responded to the investigation, saying, “The suspicion of election interference using foreign Islamist money is a testing ground for the State of Israel. The leaders of the Arab parties must be investigated by the Shin Bet today. The State of Israel will not be sold to radical Islam with terror funds.”
המכתב של השופט סולברג הוא אירוע דרמטי וחסר תקדים. אני קורא לרשויות החוק לפעול מהר על מנת להגיע לחקר האמת בהקדם האפשרי.
— אביגדור ליברמן (@AvigdorLiberman) October 29, 2026
