Shin Bet chief said warning of Iranian efforts to meddle in Israeli election

Shin Bet director David Zini warned Israeli officials that Iran and other nations are attempting to interfere with the upcoming national elections, according to reports by Channel 13. The warning was delivered during a meeting with President Isaac Herzog and Central Elections Committee chairman Noam Sohlberg, both of whom emphasized the importance of ensuring the integrity of the election process. Israel is scheduled to hold its national elections on October 27. Zini described the threat as one of the highest priorities for the intelligence agency, ranking it just below the risk posed by major terrorist attacks. Zini reportedly appeared visibly troubled during the meeting, indicating the gravity of the situation. While the specifics of the interference efforts remain undisclosed, sources present at the meeting described his demeanor as “very disturbed.” The Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence service, has been tasked with monitoring such threats, particularly those originating from abroad. According to the report, the agency began preparations for the election in January, although the National Security Council stopped addressing the issue in August 2025. This delay has raised concerns among officials, as the state comptroller recently highlighted the lack of a national strategy to counter foreign election interference. The concern over foreign influence is not new. A joint study conducted by the Institute for National Security Studies and the Institute for the Research of the Methodology of Intelligence found that prior to the 2022 Knesset elections, several covert campaigns operated on social media platforms. One such campaign targeted the Religious Zionism party, employing numerous fake Twitter accounts impersonating Israelis to pressure far-right leader Itamar Ben Gvir into ending his party’s coalition with Religious Zionism. Another effort aimed to reduce voter turnout, utilizing hundreds of accounts, some operating in Arabic, days before and on election day. These tactics included coordinated posts designed to discourage participation in the voting process. Following the 2022 elections, a separate network of accounts across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram attempted to erode confidence in the results. These accounts disseminated false claims of election fraud and organized protests, often backed by thousands of fabricated followers to enhance their perceived legitimacy. Such activities underscore the persistent challenge of maintaining electoral integrity in an era marked by sophisticated digital manipulation. The current warnings come amid growing awareness of the potential impact of foreign interference on democratic processes. The state comptroller’s recent findings revealed that the government lacks a comprehensive approach to safeguard against such threats. This gap has prompted calls for greater coordination between intelligence agencies and electoral authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Shin Bet’s involvement highlights the increasing recognition of cyber and information warfare as critical components of modern security challenges. As the country prepares for its next election, the focus on protecting the democratic process will likely intensify. Officials are expected to review existing protocols and consider implementing additional measures to detect and neutralize external attempts to disrupt the electoral system. The outcome of these discussions could shape the framework for future elections, reinforcing the need for vigilance against both internal and external threats to democracy.