Retired IDF Maj.-Gen. David Zini, recently appointed as head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), in the response he submitted on Wednesday to the High Court of Justice to petitions challenging his nomination, called on the court to dismiss them, arguing that the claims represent an effort to “police opinions under the guise of democratic virtue.”
The petitions, filed by several civil organizations and opposition figures, question both the legality and propriety of the appointment approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government last month. While the court rejected an initial request to suspend Zini’s swearing-in, a full hearing is scheduled for next week – ensuring that the debate over his selection remains squarely in the public eye.
Zini’s appointment has drawn unusually sharp criticism from within the intelligence community itself. Three former Shin Bet directors – Nadav Argaman, Ami Ayalon, and Carmi Gillon – joined a petition urging the overturning of the nomination. The ex-chiefs accused the government of “contaminating” the appointment process, and warned that placing a politically aligned outsider at the helm of Israel’s internal security service could erode its operational independence.
The petition argues that Zini, who spent his career in the IDF and never served inside the agency, lacks the institutional experience necessary to navigate its complex legal and ethical framework.
The drive to replace former intelligence chief Ronen Bar set the stage for Zini’s rapid rise. Bar, who had led the agency since 2021, was under mounting political and public pressure following the October 7 Hamas attacks, which exposed deep intelligence failures. Although Bar publicly accepted responsibility, relations between him and the Prime Minister’s Office had already soured.
That rift deepened with the emergence of the so-called “Qatargate” affair, during which the Shin Bet investigated potential illicit financial channels between Qatari intermediaries and associates close to Netanyahu. In May, the High Court ruled that the prime minister could not legally dismiss Bar due to a conflict of interest, given that the agency was probing matters tied to his aides.
One month later, in June, Bar announced his resignation, framing it as an effort to preserve the agency’s independence. Within weeks, Netanyahu moved to install a successor.
Zini's appointment as Shin Bet chief
Petitioners allege that the government’s vetting process – conducted by the Grunis Committee for Senior Appointments – suffered from procedural flaws, potential conflicts of interest, and a lack of transparency. Although Zini officially assumed his post in October, critics claimed that his selection reflects political favoritism and insufficient oversight.
Netanyahu announced his nomination in early October, praising Zini’s “deep operational experience and unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.” The cabinet approved the appointment unanimously, following the Grunis Committee’s recommendation and a legal review by the Attorney-General’s Office.
Despite the procedural sign-offs, petitioners have accused the government of overlooking potential conflicts and personal affiliations that, they argue, should have disqualified Zini or at least warranted further inquiry.
Zini’s brother reportedly has business connections with the Falic family, known donors and close associates of Netanyahu. Petitioners suggested that this relationship could compromise the Shin Bet’s independence, given its oversight of politically sensitive intelligence.
Critics also allege that the committee failed to fully review Zini’s ideological leanings and past public statements, potentially breaching the “moral conduct” standards required for senior security positions. Some opponents have characterized Zini as a “messianic” figure due to his openly religious-nationalist worldview, raising concerns about political impartiality within Israel’s top intelligence agency.
In his written statement on Wednesday, Zini accused his critics of orchestrating a campaign of defamation. “The petitioners seek to wrap democratic righteousness around a desire to police thought,” he wrote, calling the allegations “rumors and lies devoid of factual basis.”
Addressing accusations of religious extremism, he said, “Such labels are attached to anyone proud of their Jewish identity.”
Earlier this month, the High Court denied a motion for a temporary injunction to halt the appointment, ruling that the government had acted within its authority and that the attorney-general found no legal impediment to Zini’s selection. Nevertheless, the court agreed to review the full petitions later in November, keeping the matter active on the judicial agenda.
The Shin Bet plays a crucial role in domestic counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, and the protection of senior officials. The agency's director wields enormous influence over internal security policy, making the appointment inherently sensitive and politically charged.
Should the court determine that the vetting process was flawed or incomplete, it could trigger a broader reassessment of how senior security appointments are made, particularly in cases involving political allies or ideologically aligned candidates.
While Netanyahu has defended his choice as both professional and patriotic, opposition leaders have portrayed it as part of a pattern: consolidating political influence over key state institutions. For now, Zini remains in office, navigating the dual challenges of leading Israel’s internal security apparatus while defending his right to do so in court.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.