Israel's attorney general blocks Shin Bet chief's request to interrogate Arab lawmakers

Israel's Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara denied Shin Bet Director David Zini's request to interrogate senior Arab lawmakers over alleged foreign election interference, citing a lack of evidence. She stated that interrogating citizens or elected officials without justification violates the rule of law. The request targeted Joint List's Ahmad Tibi, Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas, Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, and one unnamed official. The A-G's office noted Shin Bet failed to transfer investigative materials to the special team, delaying the matter. Central Elections Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg had earlier approved surveillance capabilities for the probe. Abbas called the reports an attempt to tarnish the Arab public, while Likud accused the A-G of concealing truth. Opposition leader Yair Golan claimed Zini politicized Shin Bet, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded Baharav-Miara's removal, alleging election theft.