Shin Bet Chief Agrees to Follow Attorney General's Directives After Heated Dispute
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Shin Bet Director David Zini has committed to following Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's directives after a sharp dispute over election interference investigation materials. Zini agreed to promptly transfer evidence and operate under a joint work plan, ending a period of public conflict. The Attorney General had accused the Shin Bet of delays, while Zini claimed she was hindering his work. President Isaac Herzog mediated the tension, emphasizing the inherent checks and balances in a democracy.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet Director David Zini pledged to adhere to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's directives after a severe confrontation.
- Zini will transfer election interference investigation materials following accusations of delay by the Attorney General.
- Justice Noam Sohlberg ruled that the investigation's findings will not impact overall election results.
- Sources claim Zini promoted Likud talking points and law enforcement officials criticized his conduct.
- President Isaac Herzog mediated the dispute, highlighting inherent tensions between security and legal bodies.
- The agreement marks a de-escalation, with Zini committing to operate within the established legal framework.
Shin Bet Director David Zini met with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on Wednesday, committing to operate within legal boundaries and adhere to her directives following a severe confrontation between them. The extended meeting, held at Shin Bet headquarters, aimed to resolve their differences and resulted in an agreed-upon work plan.
As part of the understanding, Zini pledged to promptly transfer investigation materials concerning suspected foreign interference in elections. This comes after Baharav-Miara accused the Shin Bet of delaying the handover of these materials to a special investigation team established on the recommendation of Justice Noam Sohlberg.
Zini's commitment follows days of public dispute where he claimed the Attorney General was hindering his investigation. However, reports also revealed further details of the confrontation, with sources close to the investigation alleging Zini "threw names without evidence and promoted the Likud's talking points" during a tripartite discussion with Sohlberg and Baharav-Miara. Law enforcement officials criticized Zini's conduct, comparing it to the "trust crisis in the Bus 300 affair" 40 years ago.
A key point of contention was Zini's demand to include a statement in their joint declaration suggesting investigation findings could impact election results. Baharav-Miara rejected this, stating he lacked proof, and Justice Sohlberg ultimately ruled that the investigation would not affect the overall election outcomes.
Simultaneously, Shin Bet sources claimed the service's legal advisor was "completely sidelined" and that "heavy pressure is being applied on Zini to fire him." Earlier, Baharav-Miara issued a statement emphasizing that citizens and public officials would only be investigated with evidentiary basis.
President Isaac Herzog spoke with both Zini and Baharav-Miara to de-escalate the tension, stating he respects both their work and acknowledging the inherent tension between the Shin Bet and the legal counsel in a democracy.
Under the new agreement, Zini is expected to transfer the investigation materials and operate within the joint framework established with Baharav-Miara, marking a temporary end to the dispute with the Shin Bet chief's explicit commitment to follow the Attorney General's guidance.
