Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of delegitimizing election results amid Shin Bet probe

The Shin Bet issued a statement on Thursday, following reports of election interference in Israeli media, clarifying that the reports did not originate in any political party and were based on information independently gathered by the agency.

The Shin Bet also added that the only person outside the agency with access to the information was Justice Solberg, who heads the Central Elections Committee.

The agency declined to provide any additional details, saying that because the agency 'has not yet concluded its investigation and therefore it would have been inappropriate to give a statement.'

Once the investigation has been completed, the agency will hand the information over to Justice Solberg to make a final decision on the matter. It also clarified that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot, and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid were all informed and briefed on the investigation.

Eisenkot, meanwhile, took aim at Netanyahu and the Likud party for engaging in an "orchestrated and organized" campaign of electoral delegitimization, saying that following his meeting with the Shin Bet, he had instructed his team to prepare legislation for the Knesset's opening session.

"The days when Netanyahu used state institutions against the Israeli interest and for his own personal needs are over," Eisenkot said.

Yoav Segalovitz, second on Ra'am's party list, also responded to the allegations calling for a rapid investigation to "arrive at the truth as soon as possible."

"The integrity of elections is a cornerstone of democratic government," Segalovitz said. "Manifestations of incitement, racism, and exclusion are among the greatest threats to the resilience and strength of the State of Israel."