Netanyahu's announcement that he has picked IDF General David Zini to be the new head of the Shin Bet Security Agency is another step in his confrontation with Israel's legal system and one that places the decorated officer in a complicated dilemma.
Should he show loyalty to the leader and accept the position, or should he tell Netanyahu that he cannot accept the appointment until all legal questions are resolved?
Netanyahu appears to have chosen to spar with Israel's legal system and the courts. He could have easily avoided this conflict, had he announced that his government, not he, would appoint a replacement for Bar. But he chose another route, bringing Israel closer to a constitutional crisis.
Zini's appointment would have to be approved by the committee that approves high-level government positions, headed by a former Supreme Court Justice. But that committee is short two members to reach the required forum under the law, which would delay Zini's appointment by an unknown amount of time.
So Zini has become Netanyahu's tool in his war against Israel's legal system. Any Shin Bet chief would have to work closely with the AG and the state prosecution and if he is ultimately appointed, Zini would start his tenure with a fight he should not be fighting.
This is a dangerous situation for all Israelis since the Shin Bet could potentially use its intelligence gathering tools against any member of the public and not only enemies of the state or security risks.
Netanyahu also damaged Zini's reputation, perhaps irreparably. The prime minister tapped a member of the military without even having the courtesy to inform IDF chief Eyal Zamir. Zamir summoned Zini to a meeting on Friday and at its conclusion, the IDF spokesperson issued a statement announcing that Zini would retire from the IDF. He was not fired, the spokesperson added in a later clarifying announcement, but the statement included a reminder. " The Chief of General Staff reiterates that any discourse conducted by IDF soldiers with the political echelon must be approved by the Chief of General Staff!"
Zini is a brave fighter and was among those who rushed to the border with Gaza during the October 7 massacre to fight the invading terrorists. But he has no experience in intelligence, counter terrorism and counter-espionage, all part of the Shin Bet's core business.
He did not even head one of the IDF's regional commands, so his experience, though impressive as a combat officer in the field, does not include a strategic component that would have given him a broad overview of national security considerations and the implementation of multiple systems and elements.
The next chief should come from within the agency and not have to spend time learning the job from scratch. His military experience did not prepare him for some of the delicate dealings the Shin Bet is involved with overseas and at a time of war, that is critical knowledge that is needed immediately, with no time for a learning curve.
Unlike previous heads of Shin Bet, Zini's political views are well known. Although he will likely carry out his duties honorably, he will have to work hard to gain the trust of Israelis who are not proponents of the settlement movement and annexation of the West Bank. This will deal a fatal blow to the trust Israelis have in the Shin Bet
