Politics · Other · 4 hrs ago
Attorney general says evidence is needed to question Arab politicians
Shin Bet chief David Zini is seeking to question four Arab politicians in an investigation into alleged foreign election interference.
Three named in the report are Arab party leaders Mansour Abbas, Ahmad Tibi and Sami Abu Shehadeh; the fourth is an unnamed lawmaker.
The Shin Bet has not provided evidence against the three named politicians to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara or to police, according to the report.
Baharav-Miara says officials cannot question elected representatives without evidence and has asked to see it before deciding whether to approve the interrogations.
The report says evidence has been provided against the unnamed lawmaker, and that there is broad agreement it is compelling.
The dispute has drawn accusations of political interference, with the Joint List accusing Zini of serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud accusing the attorney general of blocking the investigation.
The Shin Bet can present evidence for the attorney general to consider, but no decision on the proposed questioning is stated.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said citizens and elected officials cannot be questioned without evidence to justify it.
The statement followed a report that Shin Bet chief David Zini sought to question four Arab politicians over alleged foreign election interference.
The report said prosecutors had received evidence against only one of the four, an unnamed senior Joint List lawmaker.
The Shin Bet had also not given the material to police, despite plans to form a joint team.
The Joint List accused Zini of acting as a political arm for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while Likud accused the attorney general of blocking the investigation.
- Who
- Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Shin Bet chief David Zini are at the center of the dispute. Four Arab politicians are reportedly being considered for questioning.
- What
- Baharav-Miara said evidence is needed to justify questioning citizens or elected officials. A report said Zini sought to question four Arab politicians over alleged foreign election interference.
- When
- The report and the attorney general’s response came on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Where
- Israel.
- Why
- The attorney general said questioning requires evidence that justifies it. The case concerns alleged foreign election interference.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara
Shin Bet chief David Zini
Basis for questioning
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara
Citizens and elected officials cannot be questioned without evidence that justifies it.
Shin Bet chief David Zini
Zini is seeking to question four Arab politicians in a case of alleged foreign election interference.
Evidence provided
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara
The attorney general asked to receive evidence before deciding whether to approve the interrogations.
Shin Bet chief David Zini
The report said prosecutors had received evidence against only the unnamed lawmaker, not the other three.
Polling stations closed on general election night.
A video message featuring the Shin Bet chief and attorney general was published.
The Shin Bet and police decided to form a joint team, according to the report.
A report said Zini sought to question four Arab politicians and had not provided evidence against three of them.
The attorney general’s office said questioning citizens or elected officials requires evidence that justifies it.
- Politicians named
- Mansour Abbas, Ahmad Tibi and Sami Abu Shehadeh
- Number sought for questioning
- Four Arab politicians
- Evidence reported as provided
- Against one unnamed senior Joint List lawmaker
- Joint team decision
- Shin Bet and police decided to form a team
- Attorney general
- Gali Baharav-Miara
What people are saying
in a country governed by the rule of law, it is not possible to interrogate citizens or elected officials without evidence that justifies it
If the Shin Bet or any other party has evidence that justifies an investigation, it is welcome to present it
Zini, who was appointed by Netanyahu, is acting as a political arm in his service.
honor the voters’ decision