Israeli Minister Clashes With Shin Bet Chief Over Settler Violence

An intense dispute erupted during an Israeli cabinet meeting between Orit Struk, the Minister for Settlement Affairs, and David Zini, the head of the Shin Bet security agency, concerning the extent of violence perpetrated by Jewish extremists in Judea and Samaria. Struk accused Zini of misrepresenting the situation, suggesting his portrayal implied Palestinians were not causing problems and that settlers were solely responsible for the unrest. Zini countered by stating that Palestinians were not burning Jewish homes, referencing a series of attacks by Jewish extremists on Palestinian villages. He emphasized that national leadership must publicly condemn such actions, as they harm both the settlement movement and Israel's security. Struk asserted that settlement leadership had repeatedly condemned the violence, citing statements from regional council heads and rabbis. Zini then questioned Struk directly about when she had personally condemned violence by Jews. She responded that she does so regularly, including on public radio broadcasts. Struk reiterated that the settlement leadership opposes such actions.