Israel’s election chief Noam Sohlberg says the election results will stand despite serious suspicions of foreign funding aimed at influencing the vote.
In a joint statement with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Shin Bet chief David Zini, Sohlberg says the allegations are serious but would not invalidate the overall election results, even if confirmed.
Election chief Noam Sohlberg:
I address you this evening out of the responsibility entrusted to me to safeguard the integrity of the elections, and out of my commitment to present the facts to you as they are.
First and foremost, I want to emphasize: Your decision at the ballot box will be respected. This is the commitment of the Central Elections Committee to every citizen of Israel.
I say to you with full responsibility: The elections for the 26th Knesset were conducted properly.Any irregularities, to the extent that they exist, are currently being examined. The election results reflect the will of the voters.
Standing beside me are the Attorney General and the Director of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). We stand here together, and the statements I am making have been agreed upon by all three of us.
In recent days, many reports have been published regarding the investigation being conducted by the Shin Bet. Most of these reports are inaccurate.
The investigation is currently in its covert stage and is based on classified intelligence. At this stage, it is naturally impossible to disclose its details. Nevertheless, we have a duty to provide the public with the information that can be released and to clarify its significance.
Recently, serious suspicions have emerged that require examination. These concern funding from foreign entities intended to influence the election campaign, potentially involving national security implications.
Following the information presented to me, I instructed the Israel Security Agency to investigate these suspicions in accordance with the law.
The suspicions presented are serious. We will investigate them thoroughly and get to the bottom of the truth.
At the same time, the claim that the evidence currently before us could undermine the election results as a whole is incorrect.
The citizens of Israel voted last Tuesday in record numbers. They expressed their will—and that will shall be respected.
Our position is that even if the suspicions are substantiated, this would not undermine the integrity of the electoral process or the overall election results.
The investigation into these suspicions will continue with the utmost seriousness.
A joint task force led by the Shin Bet, the Israel Police, and the State Attorney’s Office will be established to uncover the truth.
The Chairperson of the Central Elections Committee will closely monitor the matter until the investigation is concluded.
At the same time, the electoral process will proceed as scheduled.
These two responsibilities are not contradictory; rather, they are intertwined.
I also wish to make this clear: Nothing in these statements should be interpreted as casting doubt on the votes of Arab citizens of Israel.
Citizens who went to the polls exercised their democratic right.
Broad participation in elections is something to be welcomed, both within Arab society and among every community in Israel.
We will continue to update the public with verified information as quickly as possible, within the necessary constraints.
Citizens of Israel, on Election Day, you made your voices heard.
Our responsibility is to safeguard your decision and complete the electoral process in accordance with the law.
This coming Wednesday, the official results will be published and presented to the President of the State of Israel, exactly as they stand.
The results will be published on schedule.
Your votes have been counted. Your decision will be respected.
Thank you, and good evening.
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These leftists are delusional next level. He is basically saying that even if the Arabs comitted mass fraud, their fraud will be respected. We laugh at France, but we are just the same...
