Shin Bet Questioning Bedouin Citizens After the Elections
On November 5, 2026, ACRI appealed to the Attorney General and the legal advisers of the Israel Security Agency (ISA, aka Shin Bet) and the police. The appeal demanded an end to Bedouins being summoned and questioned about their activities during the election period.
The appeal was sent following testimonies from citizens who were summoned for questioning by the Shin Bet, and were asked about their activities during the election period and about the distribution of money or vouchers to voters. According to the testimonies, it was unclear to many who were summoned whether they were required to appear or to answer questions; one person testified that they were required to partially undress and were threatened with disappearance and damage to their livelihood if they did not answer questions.
In the appeal, Attorney Abeer Joubran emphasized that the Shin Bet's involvement in investigating suspected crimes is an overreach of its authority. Suspicion of an election offense does not grant the Shin Bet the authorization to become involved; in the absence of any security concerns, an investigation falls under the authority of the police. Moreover, summoning citizens for questioning under the circumstances described violates their rights to liberty, dignity, privacy, and due process, and may deter them and those around them from participating in civic and political life. This is particularly troubling because the rights of citizens belonging to a minority group are being violated because of their activities during the election period. Additionally, in accordance with Supreme Court rulings, when a person is summoned for questioning and is not required to appear, it must be made clear in advance that participation is voluntary.
ACRI demanded that the Shin Bet be instructed to immediately cease its involvement in criminal investigations that fall beyond the scope of its authority; stop creating the false impression that people are required to appear for voluntary questioning; ensure that those summoned for questioning receive a clear explanation of their status and rights; and clarify that anyone refusing to appear for voluntary questioning or to answer questions during such questioning will not be penalized. We also demanded an end to the use of threats and searches designed to humiliate, and that binding guidelines be issued to the Shin Bet and police clarifying the limits of the Shin Bet's authority and the differences between an investigation and voluntary questioning.
ACRI’s appeal, November 5, 2026 (Heb)
