Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued a statement Wednesday morning defending Shin Bet Director David Zini, saying Zini's remark that security agencies are subordinate to elected officials is a basic democratic principle. Smotrich criticized the attacks on Zini and warned that the 'rule of jurists' threatens democracy.
Finance Minister and Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich issued a statement backing Shin Bet Director David Zini, amid a widening political controversy over leaked recordings of Zini's remarks. In the recordings, Zini was heard describing human rights as 'nonsense in disguise' and criticizing the legal system. Smotrich said Zini 'stated the most obvious thing: in a democracy, security agencies and civil servants are subordinate to elected officials acting on behalf of the people.' He added that those attacking Zini 'bear the name of democracy in vain' and are seeking to trample the law that subordinates the Shin Bet to the government. Smotrich warned that the situation is dangerous and would worsen if the left comes to power and entrenches the 'rule of jurists.' The statement follows earlier reactions from coalition figures; National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also backed Zini late Tuesday night, calling his subordination to the elected branch 'a basic democratic principle.' The Zini affair has drawn intense debate within the coalition and opposition, with some lawmakers accusing Zini of undermining the legal system and others defending his remarks as a legitimate expression of institutional loyalty.
2 developments
- DevelopingSmotrich warns High Court: the people are sovereign, do not destroy Israeli democracy
- StrongSmotrich: Yitzhak Amit 'reminds of mafia conduct'
- DevelopingSmotrich accuses attorney general, Supreme Court justice of being 'agents of chaos'
- ConfirmedBen Gvir backs Shin Bet chief Zini in full article: 'Subordination to elected branch is basic in a democracy'
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Internal intake