Latest news with #Zini
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A-G: Zini appointment illegitimate due to PM conflict of interest
'Your appointment of Zini, which was made under a conflict of interests and with a complete disregard to the legal instructions attached, is null and illegal,' the A-G wrote. The appointment of IDF Maj.-Gen. David Zini as the new head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is impossible, as Netanyahu is in a conflict of interests, due to the agency's investigation of Qatari connections to his confidantes, Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara wrote in a letter on Monday. She added that her legal opinion is based on the High Court of Justice ruling issued on the matter last week, along with the evidence presented. 'Your appointment of Zini, which was made under a conflict of interest, and with a complete disregard for the legal instructions attached, is null and illegal,' she wrote. The HCJ ruling, issued last week, stated that Netanyahu stands in a conflict of interest when it comes to this appointment and that he should not have been involved in it at all. Baharav-Miara wrote to the prime minister soon after, advising him of the same. One day later, on Thursday, reports emerged of Zini's appointment. Deputy Attorney-General Gil Limon noted in a legal opinion penned on Monday that the implication of the ruling is that Netanyahu is not to deal, directly or indirectly, with any part of the process still to come, at least until the agency's investigations are completed. The most sound and logical next step is to transfer the responsibility to a different minister, who will then present the suggested appointment to the government, Limon wrote. The fear is that this minister would be used as the 'long arm' of Netanyahu, and as such, go against the ruling and make the appointment political. Limon wrote that there are two legal implications to this: first, that the search process for a candidate begin anew from scratch so as to ensure it is above suspicion; second, that it is unlikely that Zini's appointment is sound, given the widespread support it has in the coalition. According to Limon, the integrity of Zini's appointment by any other minister had possibly been compromised after Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs read out a statement at the government's meeting on Monday saying that it 'welcomed the prime minister's intention to appoint Major General David Zini as the head of the Shin Bet.' In his statement, Fuchs also 'calls on all relevant parties to remove obstacles and expedite the process for approving this appointment, which is essential for Israel's security,' and 'emphasizes the importance of appointing a permanent Shin Bet chief during wartime and urges against settling for an interim appointment.' The statement indicated that no government minister would be able to argue they had chosen Zini after a credible appointment procedure, Limon reasoned. Limon wrote that the process should be started from scratch and that the designated minister should seek out the appointments himself, without any foreign input, so as to keep the process clean. He added that the whole affair should be accompanied by the legal advisory and that every appointment should come with a clear and detailed explanation as to why this person is a good fit. This information would be presented to the Advisory Committee on Senior Civil Service Appointments, which would examine the appointment thoroughly. 'Given the current security situation, it is paramount to appoint an intelligence chief as soon as possible – before Ronen Bar leaves on June 15. An appointment made while in a conflict of interest harms this objective,' he wrote. The Shin Bet, along with Israel Police, is investigating two cases of alleged Qatari influences on close confidants of the prime minister. Netanyahu aide Yonatan Urich and former Prime Minister's Office military spokesman Eli Feldstein were investigated for Qatari ties made in efforts by the Gulf state to improve its image. Limon wrote that Bar was personally involved in these investigations. In the Qatargate case, allegedly, news tips given to journalists were presented as being sourced from intelligence figures when, in reality, they were sourced in Qatar. This was reportedly done to boost Qatar's image in its mediator role in the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal agreements and to downplay Egypt's role. Qatar has denied any action of the sort. In the other case, the 'leaked documents affair,' Feldstein was investigated for allegedly leaking classified military documents to the German daily Bild after they were denied publication by the Israeli military censor. The documents were eventually published, allegedly to sway public opinion on the hostage negotiations. Quoting from the ruling, Limon wrote that Netanyahu effectively admitted his conflict of interest in this case by calling the investigations 'baseless' and 'fake.' The court stood strong on the connection between the relatively sudden push to fire Bar and the Qatari investigations.
Daily News Egypt
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Netanyahu's Madness: Playing with Fire and Hurtling Toward Nuclear Catastrophe in Gaza
What is unfolding within the Israeli entity today can no longer be dismissed as a domestic or sovereign matter, despite the claims of its extremist government. Over just two days — May 22 and 23, 2025 — Israel has seen an extraordinary escalation across political, security, and judicial arenas. This crisis lays bare the fragility of its political system and reveals the extent of polarization and authoritarianism driven by Benjamin Netanyahu. The appointment of retired Major General David Zini as head of the General Security Service (Shin Bet) is not merely an administrative shift. It is a direct affront to the judicial establishment — long touted by Israel as a democratic pillar — and a calculated strike against its own military and security institutions. Netanyahu, now fighting for political survival rather than the security of his entity, has pushed Zini into this key role despite significant opposition from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and warnings from the Supreme Court of 'a blatant conflict of interest' and 'a flagrant violation of the law.' The Court also deemed the dismissal of former chief Ronen Bar unjustifiable. Yet Netanyahu pressed forward, exposing his disregard for the last vestiges of institutional order. Zini, born in Jerusalem in 1974, is a veteran of elite units like Sayeret Matkal and Egoz and once led the Commando Brigade. But his intelligence background is thin — raising grave concerns about the rationale for his appointment. In Israeli circles, there is little doubt that personal loyalty to Netanyahu and his family — particularly his wife, Sara — outweighed professional merit. Maariv reported Sara Netanyahu's lobbying for Zini's elevation, while journalist Shoval called the move part of a broader effort to 'domesticate' Israel's security bodies in service of a far-right agenda. The military establishment was blindsided. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation revealed that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi was informed just three minutes before the official announcement — a slight that underscores the civilian leadership's contempt for military protocols. Opposition figures sounded the alarm. Yair Lapid urged Zini to decline the post until a final court ruling, citing 'a dangerous conflict of interest.' Benny Gantz described the decision as 'a transgression of all red lines' and a 'threat to the rule of law.' Protests erupted in Tel Aviv and beyond, with demonstrators decrying the 'politicization of Shin Bet' and its transformation into a tool for Netanyahu and the fascist right, led by Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. Meanwhile, a development of equally grave concern occurred in the United States. On May 23, 2025, Republican Congressman Randy Fine made incendiary remarks on Fox News, openly calling for the nuclear bombing of Gaza. He invoked the US attacks on Japan in World War II and advocated for the Palestinians' 'unconditional surrender' through nuclear force. These are not isolated outbursts. They reflect a dangerous alignment between Netanyahu's government and the US far-right, emboldened by support from powerful segments of the American Jewish lobby. This backing enables Israeli leaders to commit war crimes against Palestinian civilians under the cover of international silence. Within Israel, some political and military figures are beginning to sound the alarm. They warn that this extremist nexus — between Netanyahu and radical voices in the US Congress — could spark a catastrophe in Gaza and across the region. Congressman Fine's statement coincides with the ongoing Israeli military operation 'Gideon's Chariots,' a campaign that risks expanding into a regional war, especially if Netanyahu chooses escalation over a prisoner exchange. This is no longer a simple government-opposition standoff. It is a systemic crisis, threatening the cohesion of the Israeli entity itself. Netanyahu's goal appears to be the total monopolization of the security and judicial apparatus — turning these institutions into puppets serving his political survival. This is not an internal matter. It is a threat to regional stability and global security. Only the deluded believe that bombing Gaza or undermining Shin Bet will remain confined to Palestine. Netanyahu's recklessness — amplified by the derangement of figures like Randy Fine — risks igniting a conflagration with consequences well beyond the region. The specter of World War-level devastation looms, born from the same political madness that once drove the world into catastrophe. Silence is no longer an option. The international community — led by the United Nations Security Council and the International Criminal Court — must intervene with resolve. We must make clear: those who threaten to annihilate a nation, destabilize a region, and flirt with nuclear warfare are not legitimate political actors — they are war criminals who must be held to account. To let Netanyahu and his allies persist is to sign a global pact with chaos. The world must act now — or be complicit in what comes next. Dr. Marwa El-Shinawy – Academic and Writer
Egypt Independent
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Israeli hostage families blast security chief nominee over reported opposition to hostage deal
CNN — The families of The families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza blasted the newly-picked head of the Shin Bet security agency after he reportedly voiced opposition to hostage deals. According to Israel's Channel 12 News, Maj. Gen. David Zini said in meetings of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) general staff: 'I oppose hostage deals. This is a forever war.' The report does not provide a specific date for the Zini's comments. Channel 12 says it was a position he repeated often over the past year. 'If the report is accurate, these are shocking statements, worthy of unequivocal condemnation, especially coming from someone who is expected to hold the fate of the hostages in his hands,' said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in a statement on Friday. In his current position as the head of the Training Command and General Staff Corps in the IDF, Zini has little influence on hostage negotiations and his personal beliefs are largely irrelevant to the process. But if confirmed as head of the Shin Bet, Zini could have a significant role considering the agency's participation in previous rounds of indirect negotiations with Hamas. 'Appointing a Shin Bet chief who prioritizes (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's war over the return of the hostages is a sin upon a crime and an injustice to the entire people of Israel – a blow to the value of solidarity and the sacred duty to leave no one behind,' the forum said. When asked for comment, the IDF said it 'does not on comment on content discussed in General Staff deliberations.' Zini's career in the military has mostly been as a field officer with little experience in intelligence, which is a core aspect of the Shin Bet, officially called the Israel Security Agency. Ruby Chen, the father of Israeli-American soldier Itay Chen, whose body is still held in Gaza, said on social media that 'Netanyahu appoints to key positions people who lack the relevant skills in order to control the system.' Netanyahu announced Zini's nomination on Thursday, one day after Israel's Supreme Court ruled that he had a conflict of interest in firing the previous Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, and could not appoint a replacement. In its decision, the court said the firing 'was made when the Prime Minister had a conflict of interest in light of the investigations into the affairs of his associates; that the decision was made without a factual foundation; and without a proper hearing being held for the Shin Bet head.' On Thursday, the Attorney General said: 'The Prime Minister acted contrary to legal guidance, there is serious concern that he acted when he is in a conflict of interest, and the appointment process is flawed.' But Netanyahu proceeded with the appointment anyway. The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on Friday defending the decision. 'This is an urgent security necessity, and any delay harms the security of the state and the safety of our soldiers,' it said. Netanyahu said on Friday that he has known Zini for years. The choice of Zini as an active-duty general was also unprecedented, prompting the IDF's Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to issue a statement saying that Zini would retire 'in the upcoming days' before he can take up the civilian Shin Bet post. The pick appeared to surprise the country's top general, who emphasized that 'any discourse conducted by IDF soldiers with the political echelon must be approved by the Chief of General Staff.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Families of Israeli captives criticise Netanyahu amid large protests
Families of Israeli captives held in Gaza have intensified their criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid large protests across the country, as the expanded military ground offensive and deadly bombardment in the Palestinian territory put the release of their loved ones at risk. On Saturday, protesters took to the streets in Tel Aviv, Shar HaNegev Junction, Kiryat Gat, and Jerusalem, with members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum accusing the Israeli government of prioritising its war over securing the return of their relatives. 'We demand that the decision-makers return to the negotiating table and not leave it until an agreement is reached that will bring them all back,' the group said in a statement on Saturday. Among those speaking at a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday was Einav Zangauker, the mother of captive Matan Zangauker, who directly addressed Netanyahu: 'Tell me, Mr Prime Minister: How do you go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning. How do you look in the mirror knowing that you're abandoning 58 hostages?' The mounting anger among families has only deepened in recent days following Netanyahu's nomination of Major General David Zini as the next head of the Shin Bet, Israel's domestic intelligence agency. Zini has reportedly voiced opposition to any deal to bring an end to Israel's war on Gaza, telling colleagues during Israeli military meetings: 'I oppose hostage deals. This is a forever war,' according to Israel's Channel 12. 'The families of the kidnapped are outraged by the words of Major General Zini. If the publication is true, these are shocking and condemnable words coming from someone who will be the one to decide the fate of the kidnapped men and women,' the forum said in a statement on Friday. 'Appointing a Shin Bet chief who puts Netanyahu's war before the abduction of the kidnapped is tantamount to committing a crime and doing injustice to the entire people of Israel,' the group said. Netanyahu's decision to appoint Zini came just one day after Israel's Supreme Court found his attempt to fire outgoing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to be 'unlawful', citing a conflict of interest tied to Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial. Despite the court ruling that Netanyahu could not appoint a replacement, he proceeded with the appointment of Zini anyway. The attorney general later warned that the prime minister had defied legal guidance and tainted the appointment process. The criticism comes as Netanyahu still faces an international arrest warrant request from the International Criminal Court over war crimes committed during the Gaza war.
Shafaq News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Religious extremist: Netanyahu's pick for Shin Bet sparks backlash
Shafaq News/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to appoint General David Zini as the new head of the Shin Bet has triggered sharp backlash, with critics citing the general's religious ideology and lack of intelligence experience as major concerns, Israeli media reported on Friday. The appointment marks a notable reversal by Netanyahu, who had previously blocked Zini from serving as his military secretary due to what he reportedly described as 'messianic' religious views and Zini's public criticism of the government following the October 7 Hamas attack. Despite those earlier reservations, Netanyahu moved forward with the appointment, bypassing consultation with IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, raising eyebrows across political and security circles. Zini is known as a prominent figure in Israel's religious Zionist movement and a seasoned operational officer within the military, but he lacks a formal intelligence background—an omission that has fueled public and institutional concerns over the politicization of Israel's internal security agency. The leadership change comes as current Shin Bet director Ronen Bar prepares to step down on June 15, following a bitter dispute with Netanyahu. The prime minister attempted to dismiss Bar over alleged failures tied to the Hamas-led assault, but the move was challenged in court. Israel's High Court later ruled that the dismissal was procedurally flawed. Zini's appointment is expected to face additional scrutiny, with Israeli commentators warning that placing a religious hardliner at the helm of the Shin Bet could undermine its independence and deepen political divisions within Israel's security establishment.
