prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced this evening (Thursday) his decision to appoint the general David Zini To the next head of the Shin Bet.
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Zini, who lives in Moshav Keshet in the Golan Heights, is married to Naomi and has 11 children.
He served in many operational and command positions in the IDF, including: General Staff Patrol Fighter, 51st Battalion Commander in the Golani Brigade, Commander of the Egoz Unit, Commander of the Alexandroni Brigade, Founder of the Commando Brigade, Commander of the Training and Exercise Command, and Commander of the General Staff Corps.
In March 2023, Major General Zini prepared a report for the commander of the Gaza Division to examine the division's preparation for a complex surprise event, with an emphasis on a surprise raid, and to identify weaknesses.
As part of the report's conclusions, Zini wrote that in almost any sector, a surprise raid on our forces could be carried out.
For the past year, Major General Zini has served as the IDF's projectionist on the issue of ultra-Orthodox recruitment and as the one leading the issue and the establishment of the Hasmonaean Brigade.
As part of his role, he met with many of the most senior rabbis in the Haredi sector.
The Prime Minister also updated the Chief of Staff. Eyal Zamir In his decision.
This is an external candidate for head of the Shin Bet, the first since Ami Ayalon in 1996.
The Legal Advisor to the Government, Gali Baharav Miyara, attacked the Prime Minister's announcement this evening. "The Prime Minister acted contrary to legal guidance, there is serious concern that he acted when he is in a conflict of interest, and the appointment process is flawed," claimed Baharv Miyara.
Netanyahu decided on the appointment, even though the legal advisor to the government informed him yesterday that he has a conflict of interest and cannot promote the appointment of a new Shin Bet chief. "The court determined that the prime minister acted in a situation of conflict of interest. Therefore, he must refrain from any action related to the appointment of a new Shin Bet chief until legal guidelines are formulated that will ensure the proper conduct of the procedure. Guidelines will be formulated in the coming days."
The political commentator Fellow He wrote: "If Netanyahu has a conflict of interest in the 'Cater-Gate' affair, what is required of legal counsel that does not serve as a political headquarters is to take the minimum damage - for example, to order that the new head be prevented from dealing with the affair, and that the powers be delegated to another figure in the organization."
According to him, "The uncharacteristic speed with which the advisor acted to prohibit the entire appointment, in preparation for the preparation of a draconian document, raises serious suspicions that the goal is not the purity of the proceedings in the affair, but rather to thwart this government's ability to appoint a commissioner, then the head of the Shin Bet, and subsequently any appointment whatsoever."
On the other hand, the government welcomed the appointment.
Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir"I congratulate the Prime Minister on the appointment of Major General David Zini to the position of head of the Shin Bet. Major General Zini is an offensive officer and a fierce fighter. The authority to appoint the head of the Shin Bet is given by law only to the Prime Minister - and it is good that the Prime Minister exercised it and appointed a very worthy person to the position."
Minister of Justice Yariv Levin"I congratulate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his courageous, necessary and vital decision to appoint Major General David Zini as the next head of the Shin Bet. Major General Zini is the right man at the right time, and the Prime Minister's decision finally restores the proper democratic order."
Chairman of the Religious Zionist Party Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich"I congratulate the Prime Minister on his worthy and professional appointment. Major General Zini is a moral, offensive, proactive and creative officer, and he is the right person at the right time to rehabilitate the General Security Service and move it forward in a challenging and important period for Israel's security."
"The Prime Minister made a first-rate leadership decision tonight to govern according to the law and act responsibly and without fear, in the interest of Israel's security."
Chairman of the State Camp Benny Gantz Attacked the appointment: "The Prime Minister crossed another red line this evening, ignoring the Attorney General's guidance in appointing the head of the Shin Bet. As I said with the previous announcement: the depth of the investigation is as deep as the depth of the investigation. Netanyahu is once again undermining the rule of law and leading us to a constitutional conflict, at the expense of Israel's security."
"Regardless of Major General Zini's contribution to the security of the State of Israel and his qualifications, if the appointment is made without the cooperation of the Chief of Staff, then there is also a significant harm to the security systems and their mechanisms."
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