Likud asked Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg on Wednesday evening to involve the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) in examining suspected foreign interference in the election, following a report that foreign diplomats had approached haredi (ultra-Orthodox) political figures about supporting a government led by Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot.
In a letter sent by attorney Ilan Bombach, the party requested verification of the report and urged Sohlberg to consider urgent measures to address the suspected interference. A copy was sent to Shin Bet Director David Zini.
The request rests on a report from Israel Hayom published earlier on Wednesday, which alleged that diplomatic representatives of countries friendly to Israel recently contacted unnamed haredi political figures to explore whether their parties might support Eisenkot and join a government under his leadership. The diplomats also asked which rabbis make the decisions guiding the parties’ political positions.
Diplomats concerned that a government dependent on support from Arab parties would be unstable
Israel Hayom reported that the approaches reflected concerns among the diplomats that a government dependent on support from Arab parties would be unstable and that its collapse could allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return to power. According to the report, the contacts sought to assess whether haredi participation could provide a more durable basis for an Eisenkot-led government.
Neither the report nor Likud’s letter identifies the countries, diplomatic representatives, or haredi figures involved.
Bombach argued that the election must be conducted independently through Israel’s democratic political system. Planned activity by foreign governments to promote a candidate, pressure political figures, or coordinate moves favoring their preferred government would go beyond acceptable diplomatic conduct, he wrote.
Such activity “goes beyond expressing positions and accepted diplomatic activities, and gravely harms the core of Israeli democracy,” Bombach wrote.
Letter questions whether the Shin Bet has the authority to act
The letter does not, however, establish whether the reported conversations were limited to exploring political positions and possible coalition arrangements or included attempts to exert pressure. That distinction remains central to the suspicion Likud wants examined.
“The serious information in the report requires examination and verification by the Shin Bet,” Bombach wrote, referring to Sohlberg’s ongoing contacts with the agency over protecting the integrity of the election and preventing foreign influence.
To support the request, Bombach cited Section 7 of the 2002 Shin Bet Law, which addresses the service’s responsibilities and powers. He referred specifically to provisions concerning protection of Israel’s democratic system and institutions, and the prevention of unlawful activity intended to harm state security.
Bombach’s request for preventive action was conditional: if the examination raised suspicions falling within the Shin Bet’s responsibilities and powers, the agency should act to prevent and thwart those threats.
The letter, therefore, asks the authorities to first establish what occurred and whether the Shin Bet has the authority to act.
In its concluding request, Likud urged Sohlberg to consider “urgent measures” to address the suspected foreign influence. It did not specify what those measures should be, nor did it seek a particular order against any party, candidate, or diplomatic representative.