Ex-Shin Bet Chief Ami Ayalon Met With Current Head Zini
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon revealed he met with current Shin Bet head David Zini this week. The meeting followed Zini's consultation with ex-security officials, including Ayalon, on an election influence probe. Ayalon stated he saw Zini's request for the meeting as courageous. He also criticized the Shin Bet's handling of Jewish terrorism in the West Bank.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon met with current head David Zini this week.
- The meeting occurred after Zini consulted ex-security officials on election influence.
- Ayalon called Zini courageous for seeking views contrary to his own.
- Ayalon stressed the Shin Bet's duty to democracy over government.
- Ayalon criticized the Shin Bet's definition of Jewish terrorism in the West Bank.
- Thousands protested nationwide for a government including Arab parties.
Former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Ami Ayalon revealed on Saturday evening that he met with the current Shin Bet head, David Zini, in Zini's office this past week. Ayalon disclosed this during a speech at a demonstration in Tel Aviv's Habima Square.
The meeting occurred amid reports that Zini had consulted with former senior security officials, including Ayalon, regarding an investigation into suspected foreign influence in the 26th Knesset elections. Zini reportedly presented classified information from the investigation to these former officials.
Ayalon stated that he did not hesitate to accept Zini's request for a meeting, viewing it as a sign of courage from Zini to seek out opposing viewpoints. Ayalon emphasized that the Shin Bet must remain above political disputes and prioritize its commitment to the democratic regime over subservience to the government.
During his speech, Ayalon also criticized the classification of violent acts in the West Bank, asserting that any violent act against civilians for political purposes constitutes terrorism, regardless of whether it is perpetrated by Jews or Palestinians. He argued that defining Jewish terrorism in the West Bank as mere "friction between populations" is a failure of the agency's duty.
Simultaneously, thousands protested in various locations across Israel, calling for a government that includes the Arab political parties Ra'am and the Joint List.
