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Friday, May 23, 2025
PM’s pick for Shin Bet chief dismissed from IDF after going behind Zamir’s back during appointment process
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Maj. Gen. David Zini, who Prime Minister Benjanmin Nentayahu appointed as the next Shin Bet security agency head, has been dismissed from the military after he held talks with the premier behind the back of the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was caught off guard by Netanyahu’s Thursday evening announcement to appoint Zini, an active duty general, to head the Shin Bet. Zamir was not consulted ahead of the appointment and was notified just minutes before the Prime Minister’s Office made the announcement.
This morning, Zamir met with Zini, the military says.
In a statement, the IDF says that Zamir notified Zini that he would end his service in the military in the coming days. This means that Zini would be dismissed from the IDF, regardless of whether his appointment to head the Shin Bet goes ahead or not
“The chief of staff expressed appreciation to Maj. Gen. Zini for a significant and long combat service,” the IDF says.
“The chief of staff clarifies that any dialogue between IDF servicemembers and the political echelon must be with approval of the chief of staff!” the statement adds, confirming that the move was done behind his back.
Zini is currently the head of the IDF Training Command and General Staff Corps. Normally, appointing an active duty general to a role outside the military would require the chief of staff’s input.
The Times of Israel Community.