Shin Bet and police disagree over foreign interference case severity

A joint investigation team was formed after a meeting at Shin Bet headquarters. Shin Bet chief David Zini insists the case involves a security offense, while police investigation chief Boaz Balt disagrees. Sources say intelligence materials lack connection to Qatar.

This evening on 'Ulpan Shishi', testimonies from law enforcement sources were published, casting doubt on the severity of the foreign interference affair in Israel's elections. According to them, it does not appear to be a security offense, and the handling of the affair is puzzling. Yesterday, a tripartite meeting was held at Shin Bet headquarters, where a joint investigation team was established, but the 'smoking gun' of the suspicions was not presented. The police insisted on receiving the intelligence materials, and only last night were they presented. A senior law enforcement source said: 'The amazing thing is that everyone is talking about the money that flowed from Qatar, but in the materials there is no trace or connection to Qatar.' A clash has emerged between the perception of Shin Bet chief David Zini, who sees the affair as a security offense, and that of Police Investigations Department head Commissioner Boaz Balt, who does not see such an offense. A law enforcement source said: 'The gap between Zini's claims and reality is enormous.' Meanwhile, a Shin Bet source claimed that Zini was appointed to serve his masters. The tension escalated this morning when Balt instructed his staff not to transfer information to the Shin Bet without his approval.