Defense minister gives full-throated backing to Shin Bet pick Zini

Defense Minister Israel Katz gives his backing for the appointment of Maj. Gen. David Zini as new Shin Bet chief, praising his “offense[-minded] approach” and saying he was a fitting candidate for the job.

“His [Zini’s] appointment to the post should be enabled as quickly as possible,” says Katz, adding that he was “convinced of Maj. Gen. David Zini’s fitness to head the [Shin Bet] organization and do the job in the best manner possible for the good of the security and defense of the State of Israel,” says Katz.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated Zini to head the Shin Bet last week, but the attorney general said yesterday that Netanyahu had a conflict of interest in making the selection, said another cabinet minister must nominate the candidate, and expressed severe reservation as to whether he can now be legally appointed.

Several comments by Zini have also come to light in which he appeared to deprioritize the return of hostages in Hamas captivity, leading to strong criticism by organizations representing the families of those still held in Gaza.