Shin Bet Chief's Sister Calls to Close Jewish Department

Yiska Haimov, sister of Shin Bet chief David Zini and a candidate for the Noam party, stated on Wednesday that the Jewish department within the Shin Bet should be closed. In an interview with Kol Barama radio, Haimov said, "The Jewish department needs to be closed, God willing, and it is important to us, and God willing, it will happen. We want it and we have come to strengthen." Haimov, a resident of the Shvut Rachel settlement, previously served as CEO of the Einav and Shvut Shomron settlements, chairwoman of Kiryat Netafim settlement, and director of the boarding school at the Mikveh Israel Youth Village.

During the interview, Haimov also addressed reports that the Shin Bet chief had told the political-security cabinet this week that he is considering reinstating the use of administrative orders against Jews. "Anyone who breaks the law must be dealt with by the law and must be arrested," she stated. She expressed confidence that "all of Israel is thankful every day" for her brother's tenure, adding that "he will also be thanked in the end, that in years to come we will be able to judge his actions, and not today."

Other relatives of the Shin Bet chief have also expressed right-wing extremist views in recent years. In June, his uncle, Rabbi Eliyahu Zini, stated at the Knesset that "all of Lebanon belongs to us." Rabbi Zini criticized the agreement with the Lebanese government, asking ministers, "Are you normal? You are giving up our ancestral inheritance on what basis?" His remarks were made at a forum led by MK Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism party.