Netanyahu Bars Shin Bet Chief from Investigating Jewish Division Recording

A significant controversy has erupted within Israel's Shin Bet following the release of recordings in which a senior official, identified only as 'Aleph', made inflammatory remarks about Jewish settlers and discussed unlawful arrest practices. In a conversation with police official Avishai Moalem, Aleph referred to settler youth as 'shmucks' and suggested detaining them without evidence, even mentioning 'detention cells with rats'. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office condemned the remarks as a serious threat to democracy and insisted that Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who has been dismissed, should not oversee the investigation into the incident due to his involvement. In response to the backlash, Aleph has suspended himself from his position pending an investigation, while Moalem has been placed on forced leave. This incident adds to existing tensions between the government and Shin Bet leadership, with accusations of mishandling security matters intensifying since the October 7 Hamas attack. Both the Shin Bet and the Prime Minister's Office have emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the matter to uphold democratic values.