In what is widely considered the most divisive and controversial security appointment in Israel's history, Major General David Zini assumed leadership of the Shin Bet security agency today, October 5. The confirmation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handpicked chief caps a tumultuous period that has seen unprecedented public condemnation from four former Shin Bet directors, sparked fears of politicizing the nation's domestic security service, and raised critical questions about Zini's ideological extremism and an inescapable conflict of interest tied to the "Qatargate" corruption probe.
The path to Zini's appointment was paved with political turmoil. It began after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial dismissal of former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar in March 2025, a move initially blocked by the Supreme Court as "unlawful." Bar ultimately resigned in June, following a public feud with Netanyahu over accountability for the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Netanyahu's subsequent nomination of Zini in May faced immediate legal challenges and widespread opposition.
At the heart of the firestorm are Zini’s personal beliefs and statements. Critics have seized on his self-description as "messianic," a term closely linked to the far-right settler movement, arguing it is incompatible with leading a democratic institution. These fears were compounded by leaked recordings of Zini making inflammatory anti-Muslim remarks. In a meeting with Gaza border residents, he claimed there is "a constant intelligence alert about evil Muslims intending to kill good Jews," sparking outrage from opposition parties and civil rights groups.
Zini's hardline stance on the Gaza conflict has also drawn sharp criticism, particularly from the families of hostages. He has reportedly opposed hostage release negotiations, describing the war with Hamas as "an eternal war" and suggesting that efforts to bring hostages home were impeding the goal of defeating the militant group.
Further complicating the appointment is the shadow of the "Qatargate" investigation, a sprawling corruption probe by the Shin Bet into alleged illicit payments from Qatar to close associates of Netanyahu. Critics argued that Netanyahu appointing a new agency chief while his own circle is under investigation constitutes a severe conflict of interest. While the Attorney General's Office found no legal barrier, it stipulated that Zini must consult with legal advisers on matters affecting the Prime Minister.
The opposition to Zini from within the security establishment has been unprecedented. Four former Shin Bet directors—Nadav Argaman, Ami Ayalon, Yoram Cohen, and Carmi Gillon—formally objected to his nomination. They were joined by over 260 former officials who signed a letter warning Zini "may cause harm to the balance between security needs and the preservation of the democratic values of the State of Israel." Reports also indicated that current senior field coordinators threatened to resign over what they termed a "political move."
Despite multiple petitions, the High Court of Justice declined to freeze the appointment, allowing Zini to take office while it schedules a hearing on the matter before the end of November 2025. The decision has only deepened Israel's political divide. Far-right ministers celebrated the appointment as a necessary "correction," while Opposition Leader Yair Golan has already pledged to remove Zini if his party comes to power.