Fleishman says the Shin Bet should focus only on preventing the next October 7

Itamar Fleishman, a panelist on Channel 14’s “The Patriots,” lashed out on Wednesday at reports that Shin Bet chief David Zini had canceled planned LGBTQ events inside the agency. Fleishman argued that the Shin Bet is a security organization, not a place for identity-based events, and said its mission is to stop another October 7 attack.

His remarks came after a News 12 report claimed Zini had refused to allow banners, screensavers, and pride flags in the Shin Bet building during Pride Month. Fleishman said there should be no flags there except the Israeli flag or the Shin Bet flag, and added that using the organization’s systems for “Jewish content” was also inappropriate.

“Where do you think you are? I didn’t understand. This is a security organization,” he said. He stressed that the agency’s priority should be preventing future attacks, saying, “You are supposed to prevent the next October 7. The only banner that should be on the Shin Bet screen is tomorrow, October 7. That is the only banner I want to see.”

Fleishman also told those who do not understand that priority to “put the keys down and leave.” When asked whether the same logic applied to hospitals, he replied that a hospital is not a security organization, though he still said such events are “forbidden” there too.