Channel 12 Launches Media Campaign Against Shin Bet Chief Amid Leak Investigation

Shin Bet Chief David Zini has ordered an investigation into a sensitive leak regarding Operation Roaring Lion, a historic Israeli military strike in Iran that began on a Saturday morning. The leak involved Channel 12 receiving advance information about the operation, which raised concerns among Israeli officials about the security breach potentially endangering Israeli and American soldiers. The first alert to Israeli citizens was at 8:13 a.m., and Channel 12 began live coverage just one minute later.

Despite attempts by the Shin Bet's legal advisor and the government legal counsel Gali Baharav-Miara to block the probe, Zini bypassed these objections and initiated the investigation himself. This move came after Prime Minister and cabinet ministers demanded a thorough inquiry into how Channel 12 was seemingly prepared with prior knowledge of the operation.

In response, Channel 12 has been running a series of critical reports targeting Zini, which some observers interpret as an orchestrated media campaign to undermine the Shin Bet chief and distract from the leak investigation. Journalist Yaara Zared highlighted this pattern, suggesting the channel is using repeated negative stories to erode public trust in Zini without directly addressing the leak issue. The campaign's timing and intensity have raised questions about who fears the truth and aims to suppress it.

The controversy underscores tensions between Israel's security apparatus and media outlets, with the leak investigation continuing amid political and legal pressures. The situation remains fluid as the probe into the leak and the media's role unfolds.