PM’s office pushes back against conflict of interest concerns over appointment of new Shin Bet chief

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes back against criticism over his decision to name a new Shin Bet head despite concerns of conflict of interest, and insists that his chosen candidate, Maj. Gen. David Zini, will have no role in the ongoing investigation into his staffers’ alleged ties to Qatar.

The statement comes after Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara lambasted Netanyahu for acting “in contravention of legal instructions” when he announced last night that Zini would replace Ronen Bar as the head of the security agency come June 15.

There is “heavy concern that he acted while having a conflict of interest, and that the appointments process is flawed,” Baharav-Miara had said.

In response, the Prime Minister’s Office asserts that Netanyahu was required to name a new head of the Shin Bet in a timely manner due to the ongoing war in Gaza.

“A permanent Shin Bet head must be appointed as soon as possible. This is a security need of the highest order, and any delays harm the country’s security and the security of our soldiers,” the PMO says.

Addressing the conflict of interest concerns, the PMO insists that the Shin Bet head has no influence in the agency’s ongoing “Qatargate” probe, which involves allegations against the premier’s close aides.

It says, however, that to prevent “gossip” over the issue, Zini will not be involved in the probe in any form.