Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg Defends Israel Election Integrity
Israel’s top election official stated Sunday that the parliamentary elections for the 26th Knesset were conducted properly and reflected the will of voters. Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg delivered the assessment at an evening news conference alongside Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, Shin Bet Director David Zini, and acting Central Elections Committee Director-General Dean Livne. He noted that the nation’s leading internal security and law enforcement officials fully supported his evaluation. The attorney general and the head of the Israel Security Agency are standing here beside me,
he said, referring to the Shin Bet by its formal name. Emphasizing public confidence, he added: Your decision at the ballot box will be respected. That is the commitment of the Central Elections Committee to every citizen of Israel.
Foreign Interference Investigations and Political Accusations
The joint appearance by senior law enforcement and election officials aimed to reassure the public following investigations into suspected foreign interference and electoral bribery. Justice Sohlberg acknowledged that the allegations involving foreign actors providing funds to influence the vote are serious and will be investigated thoroughly. However, he maintained that even if authorities ultimately substantiate the suspicions, the findings would not invalidate the election process or its overall outcome.
Controversy intensified after Likud politicians alleged the election was “stolen,” though police stated they had no investigative or intelligence support for the allegations. Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS first reported the matter on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Qatari Foreign Ministry categorically denied any interference in Israeli elections. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari accused certain Israeli politicians and media contacts of dragging Qatar into domestic political disputes on X/Twitter.
Contrasting Reports on Joint List Investigations
Israeli media outlets offered differing accounts regarding the scope of the interrogations surrounding Arab-majority parties. Channel 12 reported that a small number of Knesset members had been questioned, with one parliamentarian under specific scrutiny regarding funds from abroad. In contrast, an official from the Joint List told i24NEWS that no Knesset member from the faction had been questioned. Additionally, probes conducted by investigators revealed no proof that the monetary resources were utilized for Election Day operations or that any financial amounts reached the electorate. It quoted sources familiar with the investigation as saying that the amounts have been greatly exaggerated.
Final Results Publication Schedule
Central Elections Committee officials confirmed that the official election results will be published on Wednesday and delivered to Herzog without changes. Justice Sohlberg stressed that citizens who participated in the vote exercised their democratic right and that the Central Elections Committee remains committed to safeguarding public decisions under the law. Concluding his remarks, he confirmed: Our responsibility is to safeguard your decision and complete the process in accordance with the law.
He added, The results will be published on time.
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