Netanyahu, AG reportedly close to deal that would allow him to appoint new Shin Bet chief at end of Qatargate probe

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are reportedly close to an agreement that would allow for the eventual appointment of Netanyahu’s choice for Shin Bet chief, Maj. Gen. David Zini.

Baharav-Miara told Netanyahu in May that his nomination of Zini was unlawful and tainted by a conflict of interest due to the Qatargate investigation conducted by the Shin Bet and police into Netanyahu’s close aides.

A conservative advocacy group filed a petition to the High Court of Justice against the attorney general’s position, and the majority of judges appeared to side with the petition in a tempestuous hearing on the case last week.

According to reports in the Hebrew media, Baharav-Miara and Netanyahu have agreed that Zini can be formally nominated to the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee in two months time when the Shin Bet will have finished its role in the Qatargate investigation, thereby neutralizing the conflict of interest.

Neither the Attorney General’s Office nor the Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed the report, and the High Court has yet to formalize an agreement through a court decision.