Defense Minister Israel Katz voted in favor of granting parliamentary immunity to MK Tali Gotliv (Likud) during Wednesday's Knesset plenum vote — publicly breaking with Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, who had personally warned Katz that Gotliv's exposure of a Shin Bet operative's identity endangered the officer's life, according to Moriah Asraf and Doron Kadosh (N13 / Army Radio). Katz had delayed the indictment against Gotliv for months.
Defense Minister Israel Katz voted Wednesday afternoon alongside coalition Knesset members to grant parliamentary immunity to MK Tali Gotliv (Likud) — publicly breaking with Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, who had personally warned Katz that Gotliv's exposure of a Shin Bet operative's identity endangered the officer's life, according to Moriah Asraf and Doron Kadosh (N13 / Army Radio). Katz had delayed the indictment against Gotliv for months, the same report notes.
The Knesset plenum finalized the immunity grant in a formal vote by 15:38 Jerusalem, as The Zioneer first reported at 12:46. The Knesset House Committee had earlier approved the measure in an 11-3 vote, also at 12:46. By 15:39, the outcome was confirmed as 62-48, according to N12. The Shin Bet officer whose identity was revealed has petitioned the High Court to cancel the immunity, arguing that the Knesset should not serve as a sanctuary for someone who admitted to committing a security offense.
As The Zioneer reported on Tuesday, June 9, the Shin Bet had issued an opinion finding that Gotliv endangered a senior security service member and his family. Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen told The Zioneer on Wednesday morning that the deliberate exposure of an operative's details was "an irresponsible, illegal act." Coalition chairman MK Ofir Katz accused the Attorney General's Office of seeking to disrupt the government, according to N12.
What remains open is the High Court's response to the officer's petition to cancel the immunity. The court has not yet issued a ruling or interim order.
4 developments
- StrongShin Bet: MK Tali Gottlieb Endangered Senior Security Service Member and Family
- DevelopingKnesset approves immunity for MK Tally Gotliv: 62-48
- DevelopingShin Bet officer exposed by MK Gotliv petitions High Court to cancel her immunity
- DevelopingOpposition coordinator demands MK Gotliv answer for revealing Shin Bet agent's name
Source and signal
- Internal intake