Former Shin Bet Officer Questions Whether an LGBTQ Unit Ever Existed

Former Shin Bet officer and author Tamir Mandovsky weighed in on the uproar over reports that Shin Bet chief David Zini canceled LGBTQ events in the agency. Speaking to 103FM, Mandovsky said he served in regular duty and reserves at various Shin Bet facilities from 2012 to 2022, and in that decade he never recalls any pride event, any formal mention of such a unit, or any felt need for one.

Mandovsky said many of his colleagues were members of the LGBTQ community, but no events were held and he did not remember anyone demanding them. “It seems to me important to stick to the facts,” he said, adding that this was not some new policy. He suggested that only after 2022, during Ronen Bar’s tenure until 2026, there may have been a shift that allowed different events and units.

The comments came after reports early this week that Zini decided not to approve an LGBTQ event in the Shin Bet, cancel invitations already sent, and remove signs or other materials that had already been prepared. According to people involved in organizing the event, it was canceled by “an order from above” without any explanation.

Those involved said all their requests were denied, including displaying an LGBTQ banner on a Shin Bet building screen, installing a screensaver on agency computers, hanging LGBTQ flags in the event hall, and using agency systems to distribute dedicated content. The report also said Zini is working to shut down the Shin Bet’s gay unit, and that Human Resources was instructed to move the dedicated LGBTQ budget into the general budget.