Shin Bet chief orders removal of memorial display for October 7 fallen agents

The Shin Bet said on Wednesday that its new chief, David Zini, ordered the dismantling of a memorial display for Shin Bet personnel killed in the October 7 attack. The agency said Zini believes showing only part of the fallen “reduces” the scope of the failure and reflects only “part of the terrible disaster” that struck Israel.

According to the statement, the Shin Bet’s headquarters already has a wall of remembrance displaying all fallen members, not just a selected group. The agency framed the 7 October breakdown as “one of the largest and most painful failures” in Israel’s history, and said the existing wall is the proper way to honor all of the dead.

The move came one day after Zini faced criticism over another decision, to empty the budget of the organization’s LGBTQ unit. That decision also canceled Pride Month events planned inside the agency, effectively shutting down the unit.

Television host Asi Azar condemned Zini on Instagram, writing, “I hope you reconsider this sad decision. Are we that frightening to you?” He also addressed Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, saying he expects “our community member” to make his voice heard. Azar added that the issue is not financial, since the sums involved are “negligible,” and said the message to LGBTQ community members is that if they wanted to join the Shin Bet, “better stay in the closet.”