Watchdog Urges Shin Bet Chief to Drop Demand for Names of Opponents

The Movement for Quality of Government in Israel has urged Shin Bet Director David Zini to abandon his demand for the names of 186 former agency officials who opposed his appointment. The watchdog group stated that insisting on revealing their identities would deepen divisions within the Shin Bet, erode public trust, and distract the organization from its vital security missions.

The organization warned that exposing the names could lead to personal and professional retribution against those who exercised their right to appeal to the court. They called on Zini to cease harming the Shin Bet and allow its personnel to focus on defending the nation's security, asserting that the agency should not become a tool for intimidating or persecuting critics of the government or its leadership.

This appeal follows a High Court of Justice decision compelling former Shin Bet officials to provide Zini with the list of those who opposed his appointment. The Movement for Quality of Government is advocating for Zini to waive his right to receive this information.