Did Zini's relationship to Sara Netanyahu land him the shin bet job?
ALBAWABA - The appointment of General David Zini as the new leader of Israel's internal security agency, the Shin Bet, by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked intense controversy. Reports have focused on Zini's hardline religious beliefs, lack of intelligence expertise, and purported personal relationship to Sara Netanyahu.
Israeli media sites such as Ynet and BeHadrei Haredim claim that Netanyahu had previously turned down Zini for the position of military secretary, calling him "too messianic" in private conversations. The phrase alludes to Zini's membership in the religious Zionist movement, which some consider to be politically and socially extremist and holds that the establishment of a future Israeli state is connected to the arrival of the Messiah and the reconstruction of the Third Temple.
Zini's philosophy had previously raised problems, but Netanyahu abruptly changed his mind and named him head of the Shin Bet. Given that the Shin Bet head is essential to ensuring national security, this shift has drawn condemnation from Israel's religious and secular communities.
After General Ori Gordon resigned and General Yaniv Assor was assigned to the Southern Command, Zini, a revered operational officer and a key player in the religious Zionist camp, had previously been considered for senior command positions in the Israeli army, specifically the Northern Command.
Zini's lack of previous intelligence work experience and his history of publicly criticizing the Israeli government and military exacerbated the response. His stances, according to his detractors, make him a divisive and contentious candidate to lead a security organization entrusted with managing political sensitivities and internal dangers.
Additionally, according to sources, Netanyahu did not confer with General Eyal Zamir or Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi before appointing Zini, even though Zini is now the Commander of the IDF's Training Command and was involved in Operation Gideon Chariots. According to analysts, Netanyahu could have foreseen possible resistance from military leadership.
Unverified rumors of a private connection between Zini and Sara Netanyahu have added to the public's curiosity. While no official pronouncements have addressed the claim, some assume that the relationship may have had a role in the Prime Minister's abrupt shift in stance.
Particularly within the right-wing and religious sectors, the appointment has generated intense controversy. While some see it as a gain for religious Zionism, others wonder about the political reasons behind it and its ramifications for national security.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Bawaba
2 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Outrage in Palestine over snack ad mocking 'last supper'
ALBAWABA - A controversial advertisement by a Palestinian snack company has sparked widespread anger among Christian communities and broader segments of Palestinian society after it featured a parody of The Last Supper, one of Christianity's most sacred religious images. The ad replaced the figures of Jesus and his disciples with sheep heads and used bags of chips to represent the holy meal, turning a deeply spiritual symbol into a promotional gimmick. The response was swift and condemning. Many Christians viewed the campaign as a blatant act of disrespect and an attack on their faith. Protests erupted online and offline, with some store owners discarding the company's products in public protest. Religious leaders and civil society figures issued statements denouncing the ad for crossing ethical lines and mocking foundational religious values. In an opinion piece, Dr. Imad Salem emphasized that the ad cannot be defended as humorous or creative. He argued that such content undermines the delicate social fabric of Palestine and damages the values of respect, unity, and national dignity. Salem noted that Palestine's strength lies in its religious and cultural diversity, and acts like this threaten to unravel the coexistence Palestinians have long upheld under occupation and adversity. He warned that turning sacred symbols into tools for marketing trivializes deeply held beliefs and can open the door to sectarian division. He also criticized the growing trend of commercial content crossing moral and spiritual boundaries without accountability. Salem called for a renewed national dialogue that reinforces values of tolerance and respect for all faiths. He urged media creators, educators, and businesses to align their work with the broader ethical and cultural responsibility of building a nation that embraces all its people equally. He concluded that true national unity requires more than slogans—it must be rooted in everyday practices of dignity, empathy, and moral accountability. Only through this commitment can Palestinians maintain their shared identity and uphold justice for all citizens, regardless of faith.
Roya News
13 hours ago
- Roya News
'Israeli' forces raid Al Jazeera office in Ramallah, renew 60-day closure order
Israeli Occupation Forces raided Al Jazeera's office in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Friday and renewed its closure for another 60 days, according to Al Jazeera. This marks the latest escalation in a series of measures aimed at silencing the Qatari-based network's coverage in the occupied Palestinian territories. The renewed closure comes after a similar 60-day extension in April. The office was first shut down in September 2023 under a military order, during which 'Israeli' forces stormed the premises, confiscated all equipment and documents, and banned staff from using their vehicles. In May 2024, the 'Israeli' government formally approved a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi to shut down Al Jazeera's offices inside 'Israel'. The decision was implemented immediately under what was dubbed the 'Al Jazeera Law,' allowing 'Israeli' authorities to block the network's broadcasts and operations within the country.
Roya News
a day ago
- Roya News
France opens genocide complicity investigations over Gaza aid blockade
French anti-terror authorities have opened two investigations into allegations of genocide-related crimes, following accusations that French-"Israeli" nationals participated in efforts to obstruct humanitarian aid destined for Gaza earlier this year. According to France's national anti-terror prosecutor's office (PNAT), the probes are centered on possible "complicity in genocide," "incitement to genocide," and "complicity in crimes against humanity" between January and May 2024. These mark the first known French criminal inquiries into potential violations of international law linked to the war in Gaza. The investigations were triggered by two separate legal complaints. One was filed in November by the Jewish French Union for Peace and a French-Palestinian victim, targeting individuals allegedly tied to hardline pro-"Israel" groups "Israel is forever" and "Tzav-9." The complaint claims they physically blocked trucks carrying humanitarian aid at "Israeli" border checkpoints. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs expressed relief at the decision to move forward with a probe. 'We are pleased that the events from January 2024 are now being scrutinized — a time when no one wanted to hear anything about genocide,' said attorneys Damia Taharraoui and Marion Lafouge. Sources close to the case said the incidents in question occurred at the Nitzana and Karam Abu Salem crossings, where demonstrators, including relatives of "Israeli" captives, reportedly forced aid trucks to turn back. A second complaint, filed by the group Lawyers for Justice in the Middle East (CAPJO), presented videos, photos, and public statements as evidence against the same individuals. In a separate case made public the same day, the grandmother of two French children killed in an "Israeli" airstrike in Gaza submitted a legal complaint to the Paris court, accusing "Israel" of genocide and murder. The strike reportedly took the lives of 6-year-old Janna and 9-year-old Abderrahim Abudaher on Oct. 24, 2023. 'We believe these children are dead as part of a deliberate organised policy targeting the whole of Gaza's population with a possible genocidal intent,' said the family's lawyer, Arie Alimi. The children's younger brother, Omar, was severely injured and remains in Gaza under the care of their mother. Although filed against unnamed parties, the grandmother's complaint directly accuses "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his government, and the military. Notably, the children's mother, a French citizen, was convicted in absentia in 2019 for allegedly funding terrorism through donations to Hamas and Islamic Jihad members. While no court has officially labeled the conflict as genocide, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has repeatedly instructed the Israeli Occupation to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and to avoid actions that could amount to genocide. Despite this, UN agencies report that the entire population of Gaza remains at risk of famine. Tensions have further escalated over reports that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired on Palestinians attempting to collect food from a US-backed aid distribution point, prompting backlash and leading several international NGOs and the UN to distance themselves from the operation. Concerns have been raised that the aid program is shaped to align with IOF goals. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. A similar case against Hamas commander Mohammed Deif was dropped in February after it was confirmed he had been killed.
