JERUSALEM (Realist English). Israel’s cabinet on Tuesday evening unanimously approved the appointment of retired Major General David Zini as the new head of the Shin Bet internal security service, clearing the way for his five-year term to begin on October 5. The decision follows months of debate, legal scrutiny and political opposition surrounding his candidacy.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the move, calling Zini “the most suitable person to lead the Shin Bet at this time.” Netanyahu said the massacre of October 7, 2023, “mandated a new Shin Bet head that comes from outside the ranks of the organization.” He cited Zini’s “critical thinking, ability to adapt the system to a changing reality, and extensive operational and command experience.”
President Isaac Herzog also endorsed the choice, praising Zini’s “decades of rich and varied experience as a warrior and commander.” Herzog underlined the importance of the Shin Bet’s work in “tense and threatened days” when terror attacks continue.
A controversial candidate
Zini, a former IDF general, has drawn criticism for remarks in which he described the judicial system as a “dictatorship” and for self-described “messianic” views. Media reports suggested some Shin Bet officials had threatened to resign if he were appointed.
The Attorney General’s Office issued a legal position requiring Zini to consult the agency’s legal adviser on any matters linked to Netanyahu’s personal or political concerns. Deputy Attorney General Orli Fishman cited earlier findings that Netanyahu had made inappropriate requests of past Shin Bet chiefs, though the office concluded no legal barrier blocked Zini’s appointment.
Political fallout
The appointment sparked sharp reactions across Israel’s political spectrum. Yair Golan, head of the Democrats alliance, vowed to dismiss Zini if his party comes to power, claiming the process was “tainted by extraneous considerations” and tied to Netanyahu’s desire for protection in the “Qatargate” investigations.
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett defended Zini, arguing that once lawfully appointed, he must be judged on his actions. “Every official will be measured by his service to the state, not by political prejudice,” Bennett wrote on X.
The fraught nomination process
Netanyahu first nominated Zini in May, following the cabinet’s controversial dismissal of former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar in March. Watchdog groups petitioned the High Court, alleging Bar’s removal was politically motivated as the agency was probing Netanyahu’s aides over Qatar ties and document leaks. The court initially froze the dismissal, but Bar resigned in June, leaving his deputy in interim charge.
Last week, the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee approved Zini’s candidacy despite protests from several former Shin Bet leaders. In a six-page ruling, the panel — chaired by retired Supreme Court president Asher Grunis — found no disqualifying conflict of interest, though it criticised Netanyahu for offering Zini the job while he was still in uniform without consulting the IDF chief of staff. The committee called this a breach of custom, not of integrity.
With cabinet approval now secured, Zini is set to take command of the Shin Bet in early October, inheriting an agency under strain from ongoing security threats and political controversy.
