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Vetting Panel Clears David Zini to Lead Israel’s Shin Bet

The sign-off follows legal challenges that questioned the government’s authority over the security service.

Overview

  • An appointments committee approved Major General David Zini as Shin Bet chief and reported no ethical concerns, according to the prime minister’s office.
  • Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Ronen Bar in March and nominated Zini in May, but the Supreme Court ruled Bar’s removal unlawful and the attorney general called Zini’s nomination illegal.
  • Ronen Bar later resigned in June after alleging Netanyahu pressed him to surveil government‑critical protesters.
  • The dismissal of Bar triggered large demonstrations that intensified broader government‑critical protests across Israel.
  • Shin Bet has probed reported Qatar‑linked payments to Netanyahu allies, adding scrutiny to decisions over the agency’s leadership.