Demands Mount for Criminal Probe into PMO Over Election Day Arrests
Guardians of Israeli Democracy has urged the Attorney General to launch a criminal probe into the Prime Minister's Office over alleged election day police coordination used for Likud's campaign.
The "Guardians of the Israeli Democracy" organization has formally requested Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Attorney Amit Isman to open an urgent criminal investigation into actions involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The appeal focuses on Acting Chief of Staff Ido Norden, following suspicions that information leaked from the Prime Minister's Office to the police on election day was used to orchestrate arrests of Ra'am party activists for Likud's political campaign.
The seven-page letter details events from October 27, election day for the 26th Knesset. Hours before polls opened, police arrested three suspects in Segev Shalom and Ar'ara in the Negev on suspicion of election bribery favoring Ra'am, following searches without judicial warrants where cash envelopes and ballots were seized. Subsequently, police announced the arrests, prompting Prime Minister Netanyahu to post on social media urging Likud supporters to vote, warning that "an attempt is being made to steal the elections."
The demand for an investigation states that Norden allegedly transferred information to senior police officials, including Inspector General Danny Levi, via a phone call. The organization asks to determine who provided the information to Norden, whether other office staff knew of the contact, and if the Prime Minister or Likud campaign staff were briefed in advance. They also demand an examination of when Netanyahu's campaign videos were prepared and whether coordination occurred between the office and the propaganda apparatus.
Meanwhile, developments have emerged in the election bribery investigation. According to media reports cited in the appeal, law enforcement officials assessed that the evidentiary basis against some suspects weakened, leading courts to order their release, while another suspect's detention was extended. Lawyers Doron Barakat and Ayala Honigman demanded the immediate preservation of call logs, correspondence, documents, and publication prep materials, requesting a response within seven days before potentially turning to the courts.
