Shin Bet Denies Claims of Prior Talks Before Opening Investigation Into Channel 12

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) issued a statement on Friday responding to reports that its chief, David Zini, had agreed to open an investigation against Channel 12 over alleged prior knowledge of an attack in Iran. The agency clarified that while it does not confirm the accuracy of such reports, leak investigations are initiated solely based on the authority and decision of the Shin Bet chief, following a formal process involving professional and legal advisors. This is done under the agency's legal responsibility to prevent leaks from Israel's defense establishment.

The Shin Bet strongly rejected any suggestion that decisions by its chief are influenced by conversations with any external parties, calling such claims baseless. The statement came after Channel 14 commentator and presenter Yaakov Bardugo claimed on Galei Yisrael radio that he had met with Zini at Shin Bet headquarters to advance the investigation against Channel 12 regarding information security.

Additionally, i24NEWS reported that another Shin Bet official present at the meeting was a close relative of a well-known Channel 14 journalist. The Shin Bet emphasized that the decision to investigate the leak was made well before the meeting and noted that the chief regularly meets with journalists from various media outlets.