Essay Says Opposition to Zini Appointment Is Ideological Campaign, Not Principled Criticism

In a sharp opinion piece, the writer argues that the campaign against the appointment of Zini, a figure identified with the right, is being driven by ideology rather than professional objections. The article says critics first tried to block the appointment through the courts, including a petition by former senior officials, and then shifted to public, media, and personal attacks when that failed.

The essay says different elements of Zini's life have been used against him at different times, including his brother, an alleged memorial issue, a LGBT activity, his wife, and the number of his children. It argues that this approach reduces a person to stereotypes and social labels instead of assessing competence, background, judgment, and performance.

The writer contends that people who do not align with what it describes as the left, liberal, and progressive agenda are treated as illegitimate and excluded. It contrasts the criticism of ultra-Orthodox protests, which the article says are often described as coercive, extremist, disruptive, or violent, with what it portrays as a more favorable response when organized campaigns come from the other side.

The piece says there is a difference between respecting every person and turning state institutions into ideological battlegrounds. It concludes by asking whether a professional should still be allowed to receive a senior appointment without passing an ideological litmus test, and says the public is tired of personal smear campaigns. The article ends with a biographical note that Kobi Eliraz served as an adviser on settlement affairs under Defense Ministers Moshe Ya'alon, Avigdor Lieberman, and Benjamin Netanyahu, and later advised Naftali Bennett on Area C.