The Shin Bet addressed this morning (Wednesday) the figure who was seen last night at the torch-lighting ceremony dressed as a member of 'Rishon LeZion', clarifying that he was identified as network star Eyal Tsionov upon entering the event - and underwent a full background check.
Tsionov was invited to the event by the ceremony management.
The Shin Bet's response stated: "The person in question was identified by the Shin Bet as a network star upon entering the event, and that he was not the Chief Rabbi. The above-mentioned person underwent a full search like all the guests at the event. It is worth noting that at no point did he enter the secure compound where the Prime Minister was, and at no point was there any danger to the Prime Minister and the other secured figures at the ceremony.".
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As reported last night, during the torchlight ceremony, the camera focused twice on the figure of someone who looked like the 'First of Zion.' However, much to his embarrassment, the man is not the First of Zion, Rabbi Yosef, nor is he one of the past First of Zion.
According to a report by Eli Hirshman on Channel 12, the person seen on the broadcast is Eyal Tsionov, who maintains a TikTok account in which he disguises himself as the Chief Rabbi.
The camera caught Tsionov in the audience during the lighting of the torch in honor of the rabbinical courts. Tsionov was dressed in the clothes and turban of the Sephardic Chief Rabbi.
This incident joins a series of embarrassing events that occurred last night at the ceremony. At the beginning of the event, an argument arose over the seating location of Chief of Staff Zamir and Mossad head Barnea - and the two were forced to sit with the general audience and not in the fenced-off area designated for the A-team, which caused security problems.
In another incident, Minister Ben Gvir and his wife abandoned the ceremony after a confrontation with the production team over the seating location. .
