Sohlberg and the Attorney General met: 'Integrity of the elections - a condition for public trust'

As part of the preparations for the elections, the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, and the Acting Director General, Adv. Dean Livne, met today, Sunday, with the Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and the State Attorney Amit Aisman, as reported about a week ago on Channel 13 News.

Sohlberg stated:

'The integrity of the elections is not just a legal principle - it is a fundamental condition for public trust in democracy. The Central Elections Committee is preparing for all the challenges involved in holding the elections, in close cooperation with all state authorities. The commitment of law enforcement agencies to determined and effective enforcement of election laws is a central component in ensuring a proper election process and in protecting the right of every citizen to vote and be elected.'

Earlier that day, at a discussion in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on election preparations, with the participation of Sohlberg and Shin Bet head David Zini, the chairman, MK Boaz Bismuth, voiced harsh claims regarding alleged threats to the integrity of the elections and the maintenance of proper democratic order.

'Alongside the threats from outside, there is also a danger of threats from within. It intensifies when public trust in the institutions entrusted with maintaining the integrity of the elections is eroded, when the rules are played with, when those who cling to power, and when enforcement is not equal,' said Bismuth. 'Now, also the series of appointments is not so clear, sometimes even puzzling one might say, that was made in the Elections Committee, raises wonder and questions that require explanations.'

In response, Sohlberg replied: 'I was a bit surprised by the remarks. Indeed, we are aware of such and other publications that were disturbing. We are checking ourselves; all the appointments to important positions made recently prove themselves again and again all the time in the work of the committee. Excellent people, one by one.' Judge Sohlberg added: 'I, as chairman, feel that I trust these people, their professional abilities, the human systems, the committee is working wonderfully.'

MK Bismuth said: 'I am surprised that you are surprised. We will go through a series of appointments during the discussion, and you will see where it comes from, it does not come just like that. Believe me, everything is backed up and not invented.'

The Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, noted that maintaining the integrity of the elections is one of the cornerstones of Israeli democracy, and emphasized that law enforcement agencies will act in full cooperation with the committee to ensure a proper, equal, and clean process from improper influences. The State Attorney, Adv. Amit Aisman, added that the State Attorney's Office will work together with the Israel Police, the Elections Committee, and the authorized bodies to provide a professional, fast, and effective response to any suspicion of a violation of election laws, while strictly adhering to equal, determined, and uncompromising enforcement.