Shin Bet Director Dudi Zini ordered the removal of a partial memorial corner for agency operatives killed on October 7, saying he did not want the massacre "in front of our faces every day," according to reports Thursday. The agency says a full memorial wall listing all fallen personnel already exists at its headquarters.
Shin Bet Director Dudi Zini on Thursday cited trauma and a desire to avoid having the October 7 massacre "in front of our faces every day" as the reason for ordering the removal of a partial memorial corner for agency operatives killed that day, according to reports. The corner had been placed at the entrance to the agency's Tel Aviv headquarters. The agency said a full memorial wall listing all fallen personnel remains at the site.
The Zioneer first reported Wednesday evening (Wed Jun 24, 19:32 Jerusalem) that Zini ordered the dismantling, initially citing a desire to avoid "defeatism" and daily reminders of the failure in an agency statement. Later Wednesday, the mother of a slain operative attacked Zini over the decision. By Thursday morning, an October 7 survivor called on the prime minister and defense minister to launch removal proceedings against Zini. The same thread covers a separate but concurrent internal security establishment dispute: on Tuesday (Tue Jun 23, 12:51 Jerusalem), The Zioneer reported Zini warned in closed briefings that Eilat could be the next October 7; by Thursday (Thu 12:34 Jerusalem), Police Commissioner Shabtai publicly claimed Zini stole his assessment.
The memorial removal comes amid a broader public debate over commemorating the October 7 failures, as The Zioneer reported. Separately, the Hamas political bureau chief stated Wednesday evening that the group would repeat the massacre "again and again." A journalist backed Zini's decision to cancel Pride events at the agency, saying the organization's mission is to prevent the next October 7.
It remains open whether the agency plans any additional or alternative memorial displays beyond the existing full wall, and whether the public backlash will prompt further official response from the Shin Bet or the political echelon.
3 developments
- DevelopingMother of slain Shin Bet operative attacks agency chief over memorial removal
- StrongSecurity source disputes reports about Shin Bet commander Zini's dismissal proposal, calls it 'targeted campaign'
- DevelopingOctober 7 survivor calls on PM, defense minister to fire memorial display dismantler
- DevelopingShin Bet chief warns next October 7 could be in Eilat
Source and signal
- Internal intake