Netanyahu’s Office Uses Leaks as Control While Shin Bet Investigates Journalists

In late September 2024, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his security spokesman Eli Feldstein, who was deemed unfit for classified material by Shin Bet months earlier, attended a critical intelligence meeting near Jerusalem. The discussion centered on whether and when to assassinate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Despite intelligence warnings that any public hint could cause Nasrallah to disappear, Feldstein leaked Netanyahu’s statement "everyone is targeted," explicitly referring to Nasrallah, which was broadcast on Channel 14 shortly after.

This leak exemplifies a broader pattern within Netanyahu’s office, where classified information is deliberately leaked as a means of political control. Feldstein admitted in investigations to leaking sensitive information, sometimes from meetings he did not attend, and Netanyahu himself has claimed authority to decide what classified information can be declassified and shared with the media. Despite numerous leaks, only one case has been investigated, while many others remain unprobed.

Meanwhile, Shin Bet, under new leadership by David Zini, has launched investigations into leaks, primarily targeting journalists critical of Netanyahu. These investigations followed pressure from Netanyahu’s office and allies, including lobbyist Yaakov Bardugo, who actively pushed for probes into rival media outlets. Bardugo’s involvement included meetings with Shin Bet officials, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.

Shin Bet’s investigations reportedly use extensive communication data, known internally as "the tool," which tracks phone metadata of thousands of individuals with access to classified information. This data is cross-referenced with journalists’ contacts to identify potential leak sources. Critics argue this approach blurs the line between legitimate security concerns and political suppression, especially since Netanyahu controls both the leaking and the investigative mechanisms.

Historically, attempts to impose broad surveillance on security insiders were resisted by former Shin Bet chiefs and legal advisors, emphasizing the need to avoid politicizing intelligence tools. However, since 2024, under Netanyahu’s influence and with allies in the Defense Ministry, these boundaries have eroded. The article highlights the democratic dilemma posed by a system where the same office orchestrates leaks to manipulate narratives while directing security services to investigate and intimidate critical journalists.