President Isaac Herzog said Wednesday evening that state institutions belong to everyone and that security forces are loyal to the sovereign, not to any person or camp. The statement, according to Israeli media, was seen as a criticism of Shin Bet Director David Zini, who recently argued that the Shin Bet is subordinate to the government.
President Herzog's remark, first reported by The Zioneer at 19:11, was broadcast on N12 at 19:10. Shortly afterward, a report on the same channel suggested the statement was aimed at Shin Bet Director David Zini, who had recently asserted that the Shin Bet is subordinate to the elected government. As The Zioneer reported earlier this week, Zini's comments have sparked a political storm, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir backing Zini's position that subordination to the elected branch is a basic democratic principle. Herzog's words align with the ongoing debate over the loyalty of Israel's security agencies.
2 developments
- ConfirmedBen Gvir backs Shin Bet chief Zini in full article: 'Subordination to elected branch is basic in a democracy'
- DevelopingAnalysis: Zini's 'loyalty to elected branch' remark sparks political storm, says Yaara Zered
- DevelopingFormer Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen: Security bodies' primary loyalty is to Israel and its citizens
- StrongShin Bet chief Zini: 'The reason I felt more fit was the ability to be loyal to the elected government'
Source and signal
- Internal intake