Television host Asi Azar sharply criticized Shin Bet chief David Zini on Wednesday after a Channel 12 report said the agency canceled its Pride Month events and rejected requests from its LGBTQ unit. In an Instagram story, Azar urged Zini to reverse what he called a “sad decision” and asked, “Are we so afraid of you?”
Azar also addressed Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who is about to begin work in the role, saying he expected him to hear the community’s voice on the issue. Azar wrote that this was not a budget matter, saying the sums involved were negligible, and warned that the message to LGBTQ people was that anyone who wanted to enlist in the Shin Bet should stay in the closet. “It will not happen, Danny. We are here and we are not going anywhere,” he wrote.
In a second post, Azar shared a screenshot from Ohana’s Instagram account identifying him as the partner of Alon Haddad and father of their children. Azar commented that this is what happens when someone is “first and foremost a politician,” adding that he is aligning with people who are trying to hurt him because he wants to keep his seat.
Channel 12 reported the night before that the Shin Bet had canceled its annual Pride Month lecture. According to people familiar with the details, the decision followed an order from above by Zini, who refused to approve the event. The same sources said several LGBTQ unit requests were also denied, including putting up a dedicated banner, installing a Pride Month screensaver, hanging pride flags in the hall, issuing stickers, and using agency systems to distribute special content.
