Israel Approves New Shin Bet Intelligence Agency Leader Despite Controversy

JAKARTA - The Israeli government on Tuesday unanimously approved the appointment of Major General David Zini as the new head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

Zini, whose nomination was announced by Prime Minister Netanyahu in May, will serve a five-year term and take office on October 5, as reported by Reuters on October 1.

He replaces Ronen Bar, who resigned in June. Bar announced his resignation in April after Prime Minister Netanyahu said he would fire him.

The Israeli Supreme Court later ruled the decision "illegal and unlawful," according to Israeli media.

"Major General Zini's characteristic critical thinking in his various roles, his ability to think outside the box and adapt the system to changing realities, in addition to his extensive operational and command experience in the construction and deployment of forces, led to the conclusion that he is the most suitable person to lead the Shin Bet at this time," the Prime Minister's Office said, as quoted by The Times of Israel.

Zini's nomination was approved by the Advisory Committee for Senior Appointments last week, rejecting Prime Minister Netanyahu's argument that he was barred from nominating a candidate while the Shin Bet was actively investigating his advisers for ties to Qatar.

This appointment comes about three and a half months after the departure of former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who was controversially fired by Prime Minister Netanyahu and sparked a legal battle.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated Zini, saying he "brings with him decades of rich and diverse experience as a fighter and commander in defense of Israel and its citizens."

"In these tense and threatening times, when even today innocent Israeli citizens are brutally attacked in terrorist acts, it is important for all of us to remember how crucial the Shin Bet's optimal and authoritative functioning is to protecting Israeli society, its security, and its values," said President Herzog.

Zini's appointment drew sharp criticism from the opposition and the public for his far-right leanings, and according to Israeli media, his opposition to the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, as reported by Xinhua.

Furthermore, according to several reports, several officials in the Shin Bet threatened to resign if Zini took over the agency.

Bar was dismissed by a cabinet vote on March 21, based on Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement that he had lost confidence in the Shin Bet chief's ability to carry out his duties following the October 7, 2023, attacks.

A government watchdog group petitioned the High Court to challenge the decision, alleging that Bar was dismissed due to his defiance of the prime minister on several key issues, rather than for professional reasons.

They also accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of a conflict of interest in the replacement process because the Shin Bet was investigating the prime minister's close aides in the Qatargate scandal and document leaks.

The court suspended Bar's dismissal while it reviewed the matter. However, the following day, Netanyahu announced he would seek to have Zini appointed as the next Shin Bet chief.

Bar himself resigned in June amid the controversy and has since been replaced in an interim capacity by his former deputy, known only as "Shin," until Zini or someone else is officially appointed to the post.

Last Thursday, the Advisory Committee on Senior Appointments approved Zini's nomination despite strong protests from several former Shin Bet chiefs, paving the way for the cabinet to select him.

The panel's six-page letter, signed by retired Supreme Court president and committee chairman Asher Grunis and two senior committee members, stated that there was no disqualifying conflict of interest in Zini's appointment.

The committee rejected Netanyahu's claim that he was barred from nominating a candidate because the Shin Bet was actively investigating his advisers for their ties to Qatar.

The committee also found that although Netanyahu had offered the position to Zini in the prime minister's car while Zini was still on active duty, without first consulting the IDF chief of staff, it did not constitute an "integrity violation" but merely a violation of customary law.