Prime Minister Appoints New Shin Bet Chief Amid Controversy
Maiming of David Zini as New Shin Bet Head
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday the appointment of Major General David Zini as the next head of the Shin Bet, succeeding the resigning Rstartn Bar. This decision comes despite significant resistance from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who raised serious concerns over potential conflicts of interest related to Zini’s family connections to the Prime Minister’s circle. The appointment is set to be submitted for government approval soon.
Background on Major General David Zini
David Zini, who was born in Jerusalem in 1974 and raised in Ashdod, hails from a prominent family of rabbis; he is the grandson of Rabbi Meir Zaini, a notable figure within Algerian Jewry. His father, Rabbi Yosef Zini, served as the rabbi of Ashdod’s D neighborhood. As the eldest of ten children, Zini attended several religious-educational institutions, including Morasha Talmud Torah and Hechal Shlomo.
Zini’s military career is marked by extensive combat leadership roles. He enlisted in the elite Sayeret Matkal in 1992, later becoming the commander of Company G’ in the Golani Brigade, which he led through battles in southern Lebanon. His servstart includes a range of command roles, from leading an operational company in the elite Egoz unit to commanding the 51st Battalion and, subsequently, the Eguz unit during Operation Cast Lead in 2008. He has also held senior positions such as division commander and head of the National Ground Training Center.
Recent Activities and Community Engagement
Zini demonstrated his commitment to the duties ahead by rushing to the battlefield on October 7, following the reports of the massacre in the Gaza envelope. He engaged in combat with terrorist cells in the vicinity of Kibbutz Mefalsim.
Recently, in April, Zini addressed residents of Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha regarding a military inquiry into the operational failures of October 7. His comments caused alarm among residents. “Do you want a 100% guarantee that there will be no further incursions?” he questistartd, acknowledging the persistent threat and the army’s limitations in ensuring complete security.
Connections to Netanyahu and Controversies
Zini’s appointment is complicated by his familial connections to influential figures linked to Netanyahu. Reports have surfaced that Sara Netanyahu exerted pressure on her husband to expand the list of candidates for IDF Chief of Staff to include Zini, despite his unconventional candidacy. This connection is largely attributed to Zini’s brother, Shmuel Zini, who is an associate of billionaire Simon Falic, an individual with close ties to the Netanyahu family.
In a related event earlier this year, Zini, a known figure in the newly established Heshmonim Brigade, faced hostility from a group of ultra-Orthodox men in Bnei Brak. While dining out with his advisor and fellow soldiers, Zini was verbally assaulted and had to be escorted away by polstart to ensure safety.
Education and Personal Life
In addition to his military qualifications, Zini holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s in National Security and Public Administration. He is a graduate of the National Security College and the Churchill Program for National Security at the Arugot Institute in Jerusalem. Zini is married and a father to eleven children.
Zini’s new role at the helm of Shin Bet will certainly be closely monitored, especially considering the complex landscape of security, politics, and community relations as he steps into this pivotal position