Zini, appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has presented no evidence for the allegations, according to the source. All but one of Shin Bet’s election inquiries began after results showed Netanyahu’s bloc had lost. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara ruled that no one could be interrogated without evidence.

Far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has urged Zini to disregard that ruling and arrest the heads of the Arab parties. The parties won a record 19 seats. On Thursday, their recommendations gave Gadi Eisenkot 67 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, making him the candidate with the strongest claim to replace Netanyahu.