Following Yaron Avraham's report on the 'central edition' about Shin Bet director Ronen Bar's decisions regarding the agency's LGBTQ employee cell, multiple MKs have formally requested to convene the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, arguing that the principle of 'mamlachtiyut' (statesmanship) obligates the Shin Bet to protect all employees' rights.
Multiple MKs have formally petitioned the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to convene, following a report by journalist Yaron Avraham on the 'central edition' regarding Shin Bet director Ronen Bar's decisions concerning the agency's internal LGBTQ employee cell. In their request, the MKs invoked the principle of 'mamlachtiyut' — the ideal of a nonpartisan, professional civil service — arguing that the Shin Bet's duty to uphold this principle includes protecting the rights of all its employees.
The move escalates a growing political controversy over Bar's actions against the internal LGBTQ group, which had previously drawn criticism from opposition figures and the LGBTQ community. The Zioneer has reported on related developments: MK Ram Ben Barak (Yesh Atid) had earlier called the matter "very serious" and warned the director that the Knesset controls his budget, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly backed Bar's decision to discharge "progressive agendas" from the agency. The committee's eventual discussion, if convened, could lead to further parliamentary scrutiny of the Shin Bet's internal policies.
2 developments
- DevelopingSmotrich: interior Shin Bet dispute strengthens the organization, backs chief's decision
- DevelopingKnesset committee to hold urgent session over suspected MK Mansour Abbas meeting with Hamas
- StrongLGBTQ coalition MK warns next government won't allow 'homophobes' to lead state bodies after Shin Bet chief's actions
- DevelopingYinon Magal cites Shin Bet law to argue LGBTQ cell is illegal
Source and signal
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