Likud seeks Shin Bet review of suspected foreign interference over Eisenkot contacts

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. Follow us on GoogleYashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot speaks during a press conference near the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip, October 15, 2026. (photo credit: LIRON MOLDOVAN/FLASH 90)OCTOBER 15, 2026 17:07Likud 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 political figures about supporting a government led by 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 Wednesday, which alleged that diplomatic representatives of countries friendly to Israel recently contacted unnamed ultra-Orthodox (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 unstableIsrael 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 Benjamin Netanyahu to return to power. The contacts sought to assess whether haredi participation could provide a more durable basis for an Eisenkot-led government, according to the report. Neither the report nor Likud’s letter identifies the countries, diplomatic representatives or haredi political figures involved.Attorney Ilan Bombach arrives for a hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on petitions seeking to overturn the election of attorney Michael Rabello as State Comptroller, June 28, 2026. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)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 accepted 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 actThe 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 the protection of Israel’s democratic system and institutions, and the prevention of unlawful activity intended to harm state security or those institutions.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 the threats.The letter therefore asks the authorities first to 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 or seek a particular order against a party, candidate or diplomatic representative.Follow us on Google