Israeli Cabinet Unanimously Approves Major General David Zini as Shin Bet Chief

The Israeli cabinet unanimously approved the appointment of Major General (res.) David Zini as the new head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, with his five-year tenure set to begin on October 5. Zini's nomination received backing despite legal scrutiny, with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara concluding there were no legal grounds to block the appointment, though she acknowledged potential legal difficulties and imposed safeguards for conflicts of interest related to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Zini signed a binding agreement to recuse himself from matters involving Netanyahu personally or politically, ensuring oversight by the Shin Bet's legal adviser for such cases. Netanyahu praised Zini as a bold and visionary leader with a deep understanding of the security system, while President Isaac Herzog highlighted his extensive experience and the importance of Shin Bet's role amid heightened security threats. The appointment follows the controversial firing of former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar by Netanyahu, which led to legal battles and concerns about the agency's independence. The cabinet meeting also coincided with Netanyahu’s return from diplomatic missions in the US, where he engaged on issues including hostage releases and war goals.