Police Officer Questions Shin Bet Chief Over Terrorist 'Battalions' in Negev
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
A senior police officer publicly challenged Shin Bet chief David Zini's claims of terrorist "battalions" forming in Negev Bedouin communities, questioning the intelligence basis for the warning. Zini had presented the concerns to the security cabinet on October 5, linking the phenomenon to Hamas and marriages with women from Gaza and the West Bank. Meanwhile, crime in the south has reportedly escalated, with increased smuggling of weapons into Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A police officer questioned Shin Bet chief David Zini's claims of terrorist "battalions" in the Negev.
- Zini warned the security cabinet on October 5 about emerging terrorist infrastructure in Bedouin communities.
- The police officer stated that local law enforcement had no information to support Zini's claims.
- Zini cited links to Hamas and marriages with women from Gaza and the West Bank.
- Crime and weapon smuggling have reportedly increased in the Negev region.
A senior police officer has sharply criticized the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, following Zini's warning to the security cabinet about the emergence of terrorist infrastructure in Bedouin communities in the Negev. The officer, speaking to Ynet on Wednesday, October 7, questioned the source of Zini's information, stating that Shin Bet coordinators and other personnel working with the police's Southern District were unaware of any such intelligence. The officer emphasized that if the Shin Bet possessed data on the creation of "battalions" or military infrastructure in the Negev, this information should be shared with the police to enable effective action, rather than causing panic. Zini had stated at a cabinet meeting on October 5 that there were locations within Bedouin villages with military infrastructure and attempts to form "military-like battalions," describing it as a "very disturbing phenomenon." He indicated that the Shin Bet "constantly thwarts" such infrastructure, which has "worrying" links to terrorist organizations like Hamas. Zini attributed this development to marriages between Negev Bedouins and women from Gaza and the West Bank, citing the ongoing trial of Sabah Haniyeh, sister of a slain Hamas leader, who allegedly sent him words of approval after the October 7 massacre.
The article also notes that despite promises from Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir during the 2022 election campaign to "restore order" in the south, crime and murder rates have increased. Criminal elements are reportedly finding new methods to smuggle weapons, including heavy arms like MAG machine guns and M-16 rifles, into Israel via drones crossing the Egyptian and Jordanian borders, with thousands of such smuggling attempts recorded.
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