Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party has asked Israel’s Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara and Central Elections Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg to stop a meeting called by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning election integrity.
The meeting, scheduled for Sunday, was expected to include Police Commissioner Danny Levy and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Reports said no representatives of the Central Elections Committee would attend.
The request came two days before Tuesday’s Knesset election, with Yashar warning that the meeting could undermine public confidence in the election results.
Party Raises Concerns Over Netanyahu’s Role
Yashar argued that Netanyahu was a candidate in the election and was not responsible for overseeing its integrity. The party also questioned his authority over the police commissioner on matters relating to the election.
In its statement, Yashar said the meeting could create an impression that the integrity of the election had been compromised without evidence to support such a claim.
“The unusual meeting raises concern about an attempt to create a false impression that election integrity has been compromised, without any basis, in order to undermine public confidence in the results in advance,” the party said.
The party’s request was directed to Baharav-Miara and Sohlberg, who have responsibilities relating to legal oversight and election administration.
Netanyahu’s Office Says Such Meetings Are Routine
Netanyahu’s office rejected suggestions that the planned meeting was unusual.
According to Ynet News, the prime minister’s office said discussions of this nature take place before every election.
The disagreement arose as political parties prepared for the Knesset vote, with Yashar questioning the purpose and timing of the meeting and Netanyahu’s office defending it as a routine pre-election discussion.
Yashar Alleges Potential Pressure on Public Officials
The party also accused Netanyahu of potentially seeking to pressure public servants in a way that could advance his political interests.
Reports said Levy had previously declined to attend a similar meeting called by Ben-Gvir.
The commissioner had, however, held an election-preparation meeting approximately a week and a half earlier with Dean Livne, the Central Elections Committee’s acting director-general.
Police Discuss Election-Day Security Preparations
The earlier meeting between Levy and Livne covered police preparations for election day, maintaining public order and ensuring voting could take place safely and properly.
The discussions focused on the arrangements required to support the electoral process and protect public safety during voting.
Police Commissioner Warns Officers Against Political Activity
Levy said he had explicitly instructed police officers not to express political views while on duty.
He warned that officers who violated the instruction would not be able to continue serving in the police force.
The commissioner also said police were preparing for different scenarios to safeguard the integrity of the election.
The planned meeting between Netanyahu, Levy and Ben-Gvir remained the subject of Yashar’s request to the attorney-general and the Central Elections Committee chairman ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
