The High Court of Justice will hold a hearing on November 18 on the government's appointment of IDF Maj.-Gen. (res.) David Zini as the next head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the court announced on Sunday.
The case will be heard before Supreme Court Chief Justice Isaac Amit, Deputy Chief Justice Noam Sohlberg and Justice David Mintz.
Zini officially began his tenure on October 5, following a complex and contentious appointment process.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated Zini in May, after the dismissal of former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Bar's removal was controversial, with allegations that it was politically motivated due to his resistance to Netanyahu's directives, including, per Bar, to surveil protest leaders, as well as the agency's role in investigating Qatari connections and influences over figures close to the prime minister, dubbed “Qatargate.” The High Court initially froze Bar's dismissal amid legal challenges but ultimately allowed Zini's appointment to proceed.
Criticisms regarding Netanyahu's informal offer of the position to Zini
The Senior Appointments Advisory Committee, chaired by former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis, approved Zini's candidacy in September, dismissing concerns about potential conflicts of interest related to the ongoing investigations. The committee also addressed criticisms regarding Netanyahu's informal offer of the position to Zini, stating it did not constitute a breach of integrity.
Despite these approvals, Zini's appointment faced opposition from 186 former Shin Bet officials, as well as former chiefs Nadav Argaman, Carmi Gilon, and Ami Ayalon, in a petition filed in October. They warned that his leadership could harm the balance between security needs and the preservation of democratic principles.
Petitions were filed against Zini's appointment, questioning its legality and alleging conflicts of interest. The High Court declined to freeze the appointment while considering these petitions and scheduled future hearings.