Amid criticism against him: Shin Bet chief Zini meets with Naftali Bennett

Shin Bet chief David Zini met with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at Zini's request, following Bennett's remarks that political appointments would be replaced. The meeting follows a previous one with Gadi Eisenkot, ahead of the October 2026 elections.

Shin Bet chief David Zini recently held a lengthy meeting with former Prime Minister and head of the "Yashar" party, Naftali Bennett. The meeting took place at Zini's request, following Bennett's comments in an interview with Yonit Levi on Channel 12, where he said that if the appointments made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "do not work for Israel and bring in politics - they will be replaced." In April, Bennett said of Zini: "If he works for the State of Israel, and does not bring in politics, and is not a servant of Netanyahu or his family but acts for the good of the country - he will stay. If the situation is the opposite, then certainly I will replace him." Last week, Zini also met with former Chief of Staff and Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot, as revealed by News 13. The meetings take place ahead of the 2026 elections scheduled for this October. In the meetings, Zini emphasized that he will work properly with any political echelon whatsoever.