Report: Netanyahu's office directed police to source that led to Ra'am activists' arrest on election day
An investigative report claims Prime Minister Netanyahu's office directed police to an intelligence source, leading to the arrest of Ra'am party activists on election day. Separately, Shin Bet chief David Zini requested wiretaps on five Arab MKs, which the Attorney General blocked.
MK Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, said that the central consideration guiding him in any coalition negotiation is that Netanyahu not be prime minister. According to him, the conduct of outgoing Prime Minister Netanyahu and his circle is a tangible, direct, and immediate threat to Israeli democracy. Eisenkot claimed that no part of Israel has remained untainted for the sake of Netanyahu's political survival, and that under no circumstances should Netanyahu continue to hold the reins of power for even one more minute. He warned that as long as Netanyahu is in office, fair and valid elections will not be held in Israel. Eisenkot referred to two affairs: the 'Qatargate' affair, which he claims brought Qatari agents into the Prime Minister's Office, and a new affair of an alleged attempt to disrupt elections by planting evidence and deploying police against Arab citizens without a warrant. He called for an immediate investigation and the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the involvement of the Prime Minister's Office on election day.