Shin Bet Chief Warns Knesset: Russia and China Will Also Try to Influence Israel’s Elections

Shin Bet chief David Zini warned today (Monday) in a closed-door meeting of the Knesset Intelligence Subcommittee that the main efforts to influence Israel’s upcoming election campaign are not coming only from Iran, but also involve additional actors from Russia and China. The remarks were made during a discussion focused on threats to the integrity of the elections and on how the security establishment and state authorities are preparing to deal with them.

During the discussion, security officials and representatives of the Central Elections Committee presented the defense framework being put in place ahead of Election Day. As part of the preparations, the Elections Committee will operate dozens of computer systems to help manage the process and transfer data in real time. Alongside the digital systems, manual backup mechanisms were also presented, designed to allow the committee to continue operating in the event of a malfunction or digital sabotage.

Zini said the Shin Bet is investing extensive resources in dealing with attempts by Iran and foreign countries to influence the election process. According to him, the elections are the second most troubling issue for the organization at this time, immediately after the threat of “mega-attacks,” and he made clear that the Shin Bet will use every means required to thwart any attempt to disrupt the elections.

Committee chairman Boaz Bismuth said at the start of the discussion: “Iran will try to turn the election campaign into another front. The upcoming elections will be a major target for Israel’s enemies. The security bodies must also prepare for a scenario involving physical harm to elected officials, first and foremost the prime minister. There is real concern about this. The writing is on the wall.”