MK Gottlieb Slams Shin Bet Chief Over Response to Arab Violence

Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb sharply criticized Shin Bet head David Zini on Monday, accusing him of failing to condemn Arab attacks against settlers in the West Bank. Gottlieb stated that Zini's silence regarding what she termed "Arab terror" in the West Bank and his alleged dismissal of Minister Orit Strock's concerns about Palestinian violence created a difficult impression. She suggested that if Zini himself were facing severe legal trouble, he might understand the gravity of the situation. Gottlieb also expressed disappointment that the Shin Bet appeared to be focusing on alleged violence by Jewish settlers rather than addressing Palestinian aggression, which she believes harms Israel's international standing.

Earlier, Zini reportedly clashed with Minister Orit Strock regarding the issue of settler violence. Strock had called for the Shin Bet to address Palestinian attacks on shepherds, arguing that the narrative presented unfairly focused on settlers. Zini reportedly responded by stating that Palestinians were not burning Jewish homes and that Strock was "disconnected" from reality. He emphasized the need for condemnation from all leadership regarding such violence, which he argued harms both settlers and overall security. Strock insisted she consistently condemns such acts, but Zini questioned where her condemnations were heard.