David Zini has already chosen a side: his Shin Bet is loyal to the king, not the kingdom | Avi Ashkenazi
Shin Bet chief David Zini refuses to provide security for the leading candidate for prime minister, Gadi Eisenkot, contrary to his authority and amid growing threats. The column argues that Zini acts as Prime Minister Netanyahu's errand boy, showing loyalty to the king rather than the kingdom. The unofficial feeling in the security and political establishment is that the Shin Bet is transforming from a state institution into a political organization.
Shin Bet chief David Zini refuses to provide security for the leading candidate for prime minister, Gadi Eisenkot, through the VIP protection unit. The column, by Avi Ashkenazi, argues that the decision stems from Zini's loyalty to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not from professional considerations. It claims that securing Eisenkot would present him as an equal to Netanyahu, something Netanyahu does not want. The Shin Bet is responsible for protecting the seven symbols of the state and has the authority to protect additional figures, especially a leading candidate before elections, given threats from Iran and domestically. Zini relies on the fact that the chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, did not demand the security. The unofficial feeling in the security and political establishment is that the Shin Bet is transforming from a state institution into a political organization, acting as Netanyahu's errand boy. The column ends with a troubling question: will Zini stand behind the Central Elections Committee on election night or continue to stand by the prime minister.