Zini meets with AG, said to vow he’ll follow law during foreign interference probe

Shin Bet chief David Zini met with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on Wednesday and reportedly pledged to follow the law during the probe into alleged foreign interference in the October 27 election. The meeting came after Baharav-Miara publicly rebuked Zini for refusing to hand over evidence regarding three Arab politicians he seeks to question. Netanyahu has alleged without evidence that the vote was stolen.

Shin Bet chief David Zini met with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on Wednesday in what was described as a lengthy attempt to lower tensions, during which Zini reportedly pledged to act according to the law and said he would no longer violate Baharav-Miara's instructions regarding the ongoing probe into alleged foreign interference in the October 27 election. The meeting came after Baharav-Miara issued a rare public rebuke of Zini for refusing to hand over evidence regarding three of the four Arab politicians he seeks to question. Zini was appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has alleged without evidence that the vote was stolen amid high Arab turnout. Election authorities have said the vote was conducted properly. Netanyahu on Wednesday again cast doubt on the results and called for a swift investigation into what he says are enormous sums of foreign money intended to influence the election. Senior law enforcement sources criticized Zini's conduct, with one saying his actions "have taken us back 40 years" and another accusing him of "parroting Likud's talking points." Incoming Yashar MK and former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen said a potential opposition government would review Zini's decisions.