IDF chief speaks to senior appointments committee about David Zini’s candidacy for Shin Bet director

Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.

The committee that examines and approves senior government positions heard today from IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and former IDF general David Zini regarding Zini’s candidacy for the next Shin Bet chief, the committee says in a statement.

It also heard from former general Roni Numa, who has been reported to be supportive of Zini’s appointment.

“The committee will formulate its decision, which will be issued in the coming days,” the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee adds in the statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally submitted Zini’s nomination to the committee over a week ago, four months after he first announced him as his pick for the job. The appointment, which follows the prime minister’s controversial firing of former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, has been contentious from the outset, with four former Shin Bet chiefs formally opposing Zini’s appointment by submitting letters to the appointments panel arguing that he is unfit to lead the agency.

The committee is not expected to issue any decision on Zini’s appointment before September 25, after the upcoming Rosh Hashanah holiday, according to Hebrew media reports.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.