Shin Bet opens probe into foreign cash aimed at boosting Arab voter turnout

Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg ordered Shin Bet Chief David Zini to investigate suspected foreign funding that may have inflated voter numbers in Israel's Arab sector. The directive instructs the security service to use all available powers to gather evidence that either confirms or rejects the allegations of improper influence.

In a written order, Sohlberg stated that severe suspicions were raised about entities acting against Israeli interests during the election. He specifically asked Zini to examine how money moved into the country to support specific political groups.

Army Radio reported that Channel 13 shared details of the ongoing investigation. Officials suspect that the financial channels used to transfer these funds overlap with routes previously linked to terrorist organizations. Investigators are also looking at currency exchanges and bank branches located in hostile nations.

Reports indicate that investigators intercepted envelopes containing cash and voting slips destined for the Ra'am party. The primary suspects for the source of the money are Qatar and Turkey. The Shin Bet is currently determining whether the cash originated from these foreign states or from sources within Israel.

The probe follows a period of heightened scrutiny regarding external influence on domestic politics. The security service is tasked with tracing the flow of money to see if it constitutes election bribery or simple campaign financing from abroad.