Former Shin Bet directors are campaigning against David Zini’s nomination as Israel’s next ISA chief — but supporters say their opposition is ideological, not professional, and argue Zini represents the realism and courage Israel’s security demands.
Israel’s political and security establishment is facing a storm over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recommendation of David Zini as the next head of the Shin Bet (ISA).
Four former Shin Bet directors — Nadav Argaman, Ami Ayalon, Yoram Cohen, and Carmi Gillon — have formally submitted objections to the Grunis Committee, which vets senior appointments. Their move follows a letter signed by 260 former ISA employees, also opposing Zini.
But critics say the opposition is less about merit and more about ideology.
Pushback From the National Camp
Yehoda Vald, CEO of the Religious Zionism party, dismissed the objections as a familiar elitist reflex:
“They would have done the same if it were Ofer Winter, Avi Bluth, Dado Bar Kalifa, or anyone else with a knitted kippah who grew up in a national-religious environment. To them, anyone who doesn’t come from the ‘correct and enlightened’ camp is a danger to the state.”
Retired Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, a decorated commander who wrote in support of Zini to the Grunis Committee, struck even harder:
“It’s time to stop appointing messianic people to the highest positions in the country.”
Winter flipped the label, arguing the real “messianics” were the architects of Oslo and disengagement, who gambled Israel’s security on illusions of peace.
“Victims of Peace”
Winter’s message was blunt:
- The Oslo Accords brought exploding buses and waves of terrorism.
- The Lebanon withdrawal handed the north to Hezbollah.
- The Gaza disengagement uprooted Jewish farmers and delivered territory to Hamas.
“These so-called enlightened leaders left Israel with endless funerals and ‘victims of peace,’” Winter wrote.
Backing Zini’s Candidacy
Winter praised Zini as a brave soldier and proven commander with an unclouded view of reality:
“David Zini knows who the enemy is. He will never be deceived by false promises of calm. He has repeatedly shown leadership and strength.”
Winter concluded with a call for unity:
“It’s time to stop categorizing people by irrelevant labels. Let’s put a realistic, capable person at the head of the ISA — for the people of Israel and the future of our children.”
The Bottom Line
The fight over Zini is more than a personnel debate — it reflects Israel’s deeper divide between those who cling to failed illusions of peace and those who insist on realism, strength, and national resilience.
