Economy Minister Barkat hires private investigators to ensure there is no fraud at Likud primaries

Economy Minister Nir Barkat hired undercover private investigators to monitor the Likud primaries vote count, fearing fraud. His team believes Netanyahu-affiliated figures plot to end his political career. The investigators are placed in polling stations and the counting center, equipped with recording devices to collect evidence of any irregularities.

Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat hired a team of undercover private investigators to monitor the Likud primaries held on Monday, fearing possible fraud in the vote count. Sources familiar with the matter told Walla that the team includes field personnel placed in many polling stations across the country, with special emphasis on the counting center where voting data is fed. Some team members are equipped with recording devices to collect evidence in real time if suspicions of fraud, bias, or irregularities arise. Barkat was previously accused of attempting a coup against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after October 7 and was 'marked' as someone Netanyahu and his associates do not want to visit. People close to Barkat believe Netanyahu-affiliated figures inside the Likud decided to 'ensure that his political career ended' after the primaries, prompting the minister to hire the investigation team. Barkat's team stated that if any wrongdoing is found, the plan is to correct it, pass the findings to authorized bodies, and take those responsible to justice. A source involved said, 'Anyone who thinks it's possible to play with votes, the count, or the results should know that this time there is someone watching, recording, and checking.'