Shin Bet Director David Zini revealed Monday in a closed-door hearing that Prime Minister Netanyahu authorized his recent meetings with opposition candidates Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Lapid. Zini said he briefed the candidates on security threats and asked them not to politicize security issues. He added that he will meet additional candidates in the coming days.
Shin Bet Director David Zini disclosed Monday evening that his recent meetings with opposition candidates were conducted with the full knowledge and authorization of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Zini made the remarks in a confidential hearing, according to a report.
In a statement attributed to Zini, he said: "I met with the knowledge and at the behest of PM Netanyahu. I explained to the candidates about the security threats across multiple arenas, including the drone threat, and asked them not to politicize at the expense of the security of the State of Israel. In the coming days, I will meet additional candidates."
The disclosure adds to a series of reports on Zini's meetings with political figures. Earlier Monday, Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz confirmed he had also met with Zini, as The Zioneer reported. Zini has previously met with opposition leader Yair Lapid (July 12), former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (July 26), and opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot, as The Zioneer has covered.
The meetings have drawn scrutiny amid the ongoing election campaign, with some critics questioning the propriety of the Shin Bet chief engaging with political candidates. Zini's statement that Netanyahu explicitly authorized the meetings appears intended to address those concerns.
The identity of the additional candidates Zini plans to meet remains unclear.
2 developments
- StrongShin Bet chief Zini meets opposition leader Lapid for first time since taking office
- StrongShin Bet chief Zini meets former PM Bennett in recent days amid criticism
- StrongShin Bet chief Zini seeks meeting with PM candidate Eisenkot ahead of possible power transition
- DevelopingBlue and White chairman Gantz says he met Shin Bet chief Zini in recent days
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Open-source intake