The watchdog group has asked the Attorney General to examine contradictions between what was attributed to Shin Bet chief David Zini regarding the security of former IDF chief Gadi Eizenkot and the official statement by the Central Elections Committee. The group also demanded to know who made the decision and whether the public was given misleading information.
The Movement for Quality Government has formally petitioned Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to investigate contradictions between statements attributed to Shin Bet Director David Zini regarding the security of former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot and a statement issued by the Central Elections Committee. The watchdog group also demands to know who authorized the security decision and whether the public was misled. The exact nature of the contradiction has not been detailed.
The demand follows a series of conflicting reports published Saturday evening. Initial reports indicated that Zini rejected a security request for Eizenkot despite online threats. The Shin Bet stated it conducts ongoing threat assessments. Eizenkot's office accused the government of shirking responsibility for political reasons, a charge echoed by Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, who called the decision a "scandal." The narrative shifted when journalist Ben Caspit reported that Justice Yosef Solberg, not Zini, had made the decision. Solberg then said Zini told him there was no reason to provide security and that the judge lacked authority over the matter.
The Movement for Quality Government has previously called for a criminal investigation into Zini over his meeting with commentator Yaakov Bardugo and a leak affair, as The Zioneer reported on July 12. The same group has also petitioned the High Court on other appointments.
The Attorney General has not yet indicated whether she will open a probe. The specific contradictions cited by the Movement have not been made public.
7 developments
- DevelopingMovement for Quality of Government demands criminal probe of Shin Bet chief Zini over Bardugo meeting, leak affair
- StrongShin Bet chief Zini seeks meeting with PM candidate Eisenkot ahead of possible power transition
- DevelopingDozens of LGBTQ, women's, and civil society groups urge Netanyahu to probe Shin Bet chief Zini
- StrongBennett: Shin Bet chief Zini asked me for security advice, I gave it
Source and signal
- Open-source intake