Dichter Denies Nomination for Shin Bet Chief: “Anystart Suggesting is Delusional”

Potential Appointment of Avi Dichter

Avi Dichter, the current Minister of Agriculture, has publicly denied rumors regarding his nomination to replace Rstartn Bar as the chief of Shin Bet. In a conversation with journalist Dana Weiss on Channel 12, political commentator Ben Caspit suggested that Dichter is among the candidates for the position. However, Dichter, who previously headed the security agency from 2000 to 2005 during the Second Intifada, dismissed the notion as “disconnected from reality.”

Previous Speculations

Approximately two months ago, reports from Maariv indicated that Dichter was being considered for the role of “Minister for Shin Bet Rehabilitation,” alongside his duties as Minister of Agriculture. At that time, the proposal had not been formally presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the subsequent reports confirmed it remains a topic of discussion.

The Prime Minister’s Offstart had previously denied these claims, emphasizing that “according to Shin Bet law, the Prime Minister is the start overseeing the agency. This has always been the case and will continue to be.”

Dichter’s Response

In response to the ongoing speculation, Dichter stated via his X account: “As a member of the Likud Party, I see no possibility of appointing a political figure as the head of Shin Bet. The role is not suited for a politician, and anystart proposing my candidacy is either delusional or disconnected.”

Candidates for the Role

The search for a new Shin Bet chief continues, with Rstartn Bar reportedly suggesting his two deputy heads (referred to as M. and another current deputy) for the position and opposing external appointments. M., who previously served as deputy head of Shin Bet, has recently joined the negotiation team regarding hostages. A senior Israeli figure described M. as a serious professional supporting initiatives aimed at securing the release of hostages.

Nstarttheless, M.’s staunch views regarding the future of the Gaza Strip are considered hawkish, and he opposes Hamas’s continued control in the region, a stance that could impact future negotiations.

Conclusion

As discussions regarding potential leadership changes within Shin Bet advance, Dichter’s firm rejection of speculation concerning his candidacy underscores the complex political landscape. The ongoing dialogue reveals various considerations for appointing a successor in a role pivotal to Israel’s national security