Netanyahu: New security chief must be appointed 'as soon as possible'
5/23/2025 2:23:00 PM
Israel's premier said Friday his pick for the next domestic intelligence chief should be appointed "as soon as possible", but would have no hand in an ongoing investigation into his associates.
Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to tap army Major General David Zini to lead the Shin Bet -- which follows months of legal and political wrangling over his attempt to sack incumbent head Ronen Bar -- has already sparked threats of a legal challenge.
"It is imperative to name a permanent head of the Shin Bet as soon as possible," a statement from Netanyahu's office said.
"It is a security requirement of the highest order, and any delay infringes on the security of the state as well as that of our soldiers."
The statement also noted the probe into alleged Qatari influence involving advisers to the premier, which Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has suggested created a conflict of interest in Netanyahu's attempt to fire Bar.
Netanyahu's office said that "to avoid any suspicion linked to the inquiries concerning Qatar, the prime minister clarifies that the appointed head of the Shin Bet will not be involved at all in these investigations".
It noted that the appointment still had to be approved by a vetting committee and the cabinet.
The prime minister announced Zini's selection on Thursday night, a day after the supreme court ruled the government's decision to fire current security chief Bar was "improper and unlawful".
The announcement defied Baharav-Miara, who had said that given the court ruling, the premier "must refrain from any action related to the appointment of a new head of the Shin Bet".
Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to tap army Major General David Zini to lead the Shin Bet -- which follows months of legal and political wrangling over his attempt to sack incumbent head Ronen Bar -- has already sparked threats of a legal challenge.
"It is imperative to name a permanent head of the Shin Bet as soon as possible," a statement from Netanyahu's office said.
"It is a security requirement of the highest order, and any delay infringes on the security of the state as well as that of our soldiers."
The statement also noted the probe into alleged Qatari influence involving advisers to the premier, which Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has suggested created a conflict of interest in Netanyahu's attempt to fire Bar.
Netanyahu's office said that "to avoid any suspicion linked to the inquiries concerning Qatar, the prime minister clarifies that the appointed head of the Shin Bet will not be involved at all in these investigations".
It noted that the appointment still had to be approved by a vetting committee and the cabinet.
The prime minister announced Zini's selection on Thursday night, a day after the supreme court ruled the government's decision to fire current security chief Bar was "improper and unlawful".
The announcement defied Baharav-Miara, who had said that given the court ruling, the premier "must refrain from any action related to the appointment of a new head of the Shin Bet".