Mossad joins Shin Bet probe into alleged Qatar election interference - report

The Mossad is joining a Shin Bet investigation into suspected foreign interference in Israel's 2026 elections, focusing on whether Qatar funded elements of the Joint List's party apparatus. Officials emphasize the election results remain unaffected, and the Elections Committee called the reports unfounded.

The Mossad is reportedly joining a Shin Bet investigation into suspected foreign interference in Israel's 2026 elections, focusing on whether Qatar funded elements of the Joint List's party apparatus. The probe follows a directive from Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg to investigate suspected foreign funding and election bribery. Officials emphasize that the suspicions have no bearing on the election results and are not expected to affect them later. Acting Central Elections Committee director-general Dean Livne said reports of suspected attempts to sway the election were unfounded, adding that the Shin Bet opened the investigation after classified intelligence was presented to Sohlberg. The main points of the intelligence were also presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot. The investigation does not focus on any particular community and will not change the election results submitted to Israel's president.