Israeli army chief summons new Shin Bet head following latter's private talks with Netanyahu

JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL

Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir summoned Shin Bet chief-designate Maj. Gen. David Zini on Friday to inquire about his private talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the appointment process, Israel's Channel 12 reported.

The summons followed Netanyahu’s announcement Thursday evening that Zini would replace current Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, whose dismissal has drawn intense backlash and legal challenges.

According to the channel, Netanyahu informed Zamir of Zini’s appointment only minutes before it was made public. The prime minister’s office declined to say whether Zini met or spoke with Netanyahu without notifying the army chief.

Military officers must seek prior approval before meeting political officials.

Israel's public broadcaster KAN quoted the Israel army as confirming that Zamir met Zini Friday morning.

During the meeting, Zamir decided Zini’s retirement from military service in the coming days and thanked him for his years of combat service.

He also reiterated that “any discourse conducted by military soldiers with the political echelon must be approved by the chief of general staff.”

The appointment has drawn fierce opposition from Israel’s Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who condemned it as “flawed” and legally invalid.

Netanyahu’s move defied a Supreme Court ruling and Baharav-Miara’s directive that the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was unlawful.

Baharav-Miara had warned Wednesday against making any appointment before a legal review is completed related to Bar’s dismissal.

Benny Gantz, head of the opposition National Unity party, said on X that “Netanyahu is once again violating the rule of law and leading us toward a constitutional clash—at the expense of Israel’s security.”

Netanyahu justified Bar’s dismissal by citing “a loss of trust,” following fallout from the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack. Bar, however, suggested the move was politically motivated and linked to his refusal to pledge personal loyalty to the prime minister.

On March 20, the government decided to dismiss Bar, with the decision set to take effect on April 10.

But the Supreme Court issued a temporary order preventing his dismissal or the announcement of a replacement until it reviewed petitions filed by the opposition against the decision.

On April 28, however, Bar said he would leave his post on June 15.