Elections Committee Chairman: Elections were conducted properly – suspicions of foreign funding are being investigated – watch the broadcast

(Haipo) – The chairman of the Central Elections Committee addressed the citizens of Israel this evening in a special statement, alongside the legal advisor to the government and the head of the General Security Service. In his statement, he stated that the elections for the 26th Knesset were conducted properly, but serious suspicions were revealed regarding funding from foreign entities intended to influence the election campaign, and which may have a security aspect.

Serious suspicions of foreign funding – Shin Bet ordered to investigate – full statement from Elections Committee Chairman, Judge Noam Solberg

אזרחי ישראל,
I address you tonight out of the responsibility entrusted to me to maintain the purity of the elections, and out of the obligation to present things to you as they are. First of all, it is important for me to emphasize: your decision at the ballot box will be respected. This is the Central Elections Committee's commitment to every citizen in Israel. I will tell you with full responsibility: the elections for the Twenty-sixth Knesset were conducted properly. To the extent that there are any exceptions, they are currently being examined. The election results reflect the will of the voters.

With me here is the Legal Advisor to the Prime Minister and the Head of the General Security Service. We stand here together, and the things I say to you are agreed upon by all three of us. In recent days, many things have been published about the investigation being conducted by the Shin Bet. Most of these publications are incorrect. The investigation is in the covert phase, it is based on classified information, and at this stage, naturally, it is not possible to reveal its details. However, it is our duty to provide you with the information that can be published, and to clarify its meaning.

Recently, serious suspicions have emerged that require examination, concerning funding from foreign entities, intended to influence the election process, and which may have a security aspect. Following the information presented to me, I have instructed the General Security Service to investigate the suspicions in accordance with the law. It is important for me to clarify. Suspicions are suspicions. In order to appeal the election results, solid evidence is required.

The examination is underway and the Legal Advisor to the Government and all relevant parties are partners in the investigation activities, and are updated on its progress and findings. The suspicions that were presented are serious. We will investigate them to the fullest extent and get to the root of the truth. At the same time, the claim that the evidence before us now may undermine the results of the elections as a whole is incorrect. Israeli citizens voted last Tuesday, in record numbers. They expressed their position – and it will be respected.

Our position is that even if the suspicions are confirmed, this does not detract from the integrity of the election process and the election results as a whole. The examination of the suspicions will continue with all seriousness. A joint team will be established led by the Shin Bet, the Israel Police, and the Attorney General's Office to arrive at the truth. The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee will closely monitor the investigation until the matter is completed. At the same time, the election process will be completed in an orderly manner. These two duties are not contradictory, but rather intertwined.

I would also like to clarify this: there is nothing in these words to cast blame on the vote of Arab society. Citizens who went out to vote exercised their democratic right. Broad participation in elections is a welcome thing in Arab society, and in every public in Israel.

We will continue to update the public with verified information, as quickly as possible and within the required limitations. Citizens of Israel, on Election Day you had your say. Our responsibility is to uphold your decision and complete the process in accordance with the law. This coming Wednesday, the official results will be published and submitted to the President of the State, as they are. The results will be published on time. Your vote will be counted. Your decision will be respected. Thank you and good evening.