Shin Bet chief rejects ‘inside job’ conspiracies about Oct. 7

New Shin Bet chief David Zini dismisses pervasive conspiracy theories about the October 7, 2023, onslaught, saying that “it is clear and known that there was no ‘treason’ or ‘cooperation’ [with the enemy] on the part of the Shin Bet or any members of the security establishment.”

The conspiracy theories have been pervasive among hardline supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has avoided commenting on the matter as his critics say he is seeking to shift responsibility for October 7 failures onto the security establishment.

Zini, during a conference this week attended by Netanyahu, says he accepts the Shin Bet’s internal investigation into the failures of October 7, which was conducted under the agency’s former head, Ronen Bar.

“As the head of the investigative team noted, there are still additional issues to examine, but there is no disputing the conclusions of the investigation team, and they contain extensive material to work with and to correct,” Zini is quoted as saying by the Shin Bet.

“Unfortunately, we committed a severe professional failure, and we must work day by day, hour by hour, in order to correct and implement all the lessons and complete what remains to be investigated,” he adds.