Shin Bet Chief Zini Criticizes Predecessor Over Jewish Israel Party Registration

Shin Bet Chief David Zini has recently expressed sharp criticism of his predecessor Ronen Bar's position regarding the registration of the political party "Jewish Israel." According to sources familiar with the matter, Zini appears inclined to reverse the previous stance and recommend allowing the party's registration. This marks a significant shift from the earlier decision made under Bar's leadership, which advised the party registrar against registering the party based on intelligence indicating ties to individuals holding the ideology of a designated terrorist organization, the "Kach" movement.

The original recommendation to block the party's registration was based on classified intelligence from the Shin Bet during Bar's tenure, asserting that many founders of the party maintained the ideology of the Kach organization, banned as a terrorist group in 1994, and sought to promote its agenda. The intelligence also linked party members to figures such as Baruch Marzel and Michael Ben Ari. The party and its supporters have rejected these claims, citing their legal and public political activities, including those of the Otzma Yehudit party.

The party registrar initially refused to register "Jewish Israel," a decision requiring Supreme Court approval. A hearing scheduled for July 5, 2023, before a five-judge panel was postponed after Zini requested the State Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, to reassess the validity and current relevance of the Shin Bet's intelligence. The hearing was rescheduled for July 14, with the Shin Bet's updated opinion expected by July 12.

Zini's move also reflects his professional disagreement with the position formed during Bar's tenure. If Zini recommends permitting the party's registration, it would represent a dramatic reversal of a sensitive stance and likely provoke criticism from his opponents, who have already questioned his appointment and worldview. The Shin Bet has not yet responded to requests for comment on this development.

Summary: Shin Bet Chief David Zini is reconsidering the agency's previous opposition to registering the "Jewish Israel" party, challenging his predecessor's intelligence-based ban and potentially allowing the party's legal registration after a Supreme Court hearing postponement.

Points: - Shin Bet Chief David Zini criticizes predecessor Ronen Bar's opposition to "Jewish Israel" party registration. - Zini leans toward recommending the party's registration, reversing prior intelligence-based ban. - Original ban cited ties to Kach terrorist ideology and connections to Baruch Marzel and Michael Ben Ari. - Supreme Court hearing postponed from July 5 to July 14 for Shin Bet to reassess intelligence. - Zini's stance signals a major shift and may trigger criticism from his opponents. - Updated Shin Bet opinion expected by July 12; no official comment yet from Shin Bet.

Topic: politics

Entities: {"people":["David Zini","Ronen Bar","Baruch Marzel","Michael Ben Ari","Gali Baharav-Miara"],"organizations":["Shin Bet","Jewish Israel","Kach","Otzma Yehudit","Supreme Court"],"places":[] }