The Likud party launched a fierce political assault on Tuesday evening against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of actively subverting and covering up an ongoing security investigation into alleged foreign interference and fraud in the elections for the 26th Knesset.
In a formal statement released by the party, Likud described the latest reports as “an earthquake for Israeli democracy,” arguing that the top legal authority is shielding suspected actors and undermining the rule of law. “Baharav-Miara is acting to whitewash and foil the investigation into election contamination,” the party stated. “This is precisely what selective enforcement looks like.”
The political firestorm escalated following investigative reporting revealing that Shin Bet Director David Zini held a high-stakes meeting with Central Elections Committee Chairman and Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg. According to the reports, Zini presented serious grievances against the Attorney General, saying her office has repeatedly obstructed the progress of the “ballot terror” probe and denied requests to broaden operational inquiries.
Specifically, the reports indicate that Baharav-Miara has refused to authorize necessary interrogations of high-profile political figures named during the investigation, including Ta’al Chairman Ahmad Tibi, Ra’am Chairman Mansour Abbas, Balad Chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, and an additional Knesset member.
Sources close to the security establishment warned that the constraints placed on investigators risk preventing the security services from exposing the full architecture of foreign meddling in the vote. The allegations extend beyond restrictions on interrogations. Likud and security sources claimed the Attorney General has barred the Shin Bet from using digital and electronic intelligence capabilities routinely deployed in national security investigations, while trying to suppress public acknowledgment that the case involves potential state security offenses.
The party demanded that the Attorney General immediately rescind all operational constraints, permitting the Shin Bet and the Israel Police to question lawmakers and aides without institutional immunity. Earlier on Tuesday, the Attorney General’s Office flatly rejected claims that state prosecutors are dragging their feet or restricting security operations. The AG clarified that the Shin Bet had received official sign-off on significant investigative requests, emphasizing that an integrated task force uniting the Shin Bet, the Israel Police, and the State Attorney’s Office is conducting active inquiries.
“Everyone who needs to be investigated will be investigated,” the AG’s statement reiterated, maintaining that legal guidance has remained strictly professional and free of partisan influence.