High Court Orders Shin Bet Petitioners Against Director Nominee to Reveal Identities

Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) employees who petitioned anonymously against the appointment of David Zini as the agency's director must reveal their names to Zini within one week. The decision came after the petitioners refused to disclose their identities, despite the court previously stating Zini has the right to know who they are. During a recent hearing, Zini's legal team argued that the petitioners were in contempt of court for refusing to reveal themselves, asserting that they could not 'take the law into their own hands.' The petitioners' lawyer countered that his clients feared retaliation from the Shin Bet director and that no order compelling them to reveal their names had been issued, thus they could not be found in contempt.

Supreme Court President Isaac Amit suggested that Zini might reconsider his stance, stating, 'In my personal opinion, the director would do well to reconsider his position. I am not sure it does him any good.' Justices Mintz and Solberg affirmed a party's right to know who is petitioning against them. However, Justice Solberg also indicated he believed his recommendation in the ruling, advising Zini not to insist on publishing the list of names, would be accepted.