A senior Shin Bet reserve officer faces prosecution for leaking state secrets to journalists and a cabinet minister, causing “intelligence damage.”
Israel’s security establishment has been shaken by revelations that a senior reserve officer in the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is under criminal investigation for allegedly leaking classified intelligence — a breach prosecutors warn inflicted real harm on national security.
The Police Investigations Unit (PIU) announced that A., who serves as the deputy head of a Shin Bet unit, has been formally notified that criminal charges are being considered against him, pending a pre-indictment hearing.
According to investigators, the veteran intelligence officer is suspected of disclosing and attempting to disclose secret state information to unauthorized individuals — including journalists and a government minister.
“The investigation shows that the actions attributed to the suspect caused intelligence damage and harmed national security,” the PIU said in a statement, calling the case “a serious breach of trust from within Israel’s intelligence community.”
Authorities allege that during 2024, A. transferred sensitive, classified material to Israeli journalists Amit Sagan and Shirit Avitan Cohen, as well as to Minister Amichai Chikli, leading to its publication in the media. Prosecutors further claim the officer sought to approach additional journalists in an effort to pass on even more confidential information.
The case has triggered alarm within Israel’s security apparatus, where confidentiality and loyalty are cornerstones of national defense. The Shin Bet has declined to comment publicly but is reportedly cooperating fully with the investigation.
Senior officials called the incident “deeply troubling,” emphasizing that internal breaches pose a greater risk than external threats. One source said, “The exposure of even limited classified data can compromise operations, agents, and national stability.”
If convicted, the accused could face severe penalties under Israel’s espionage and national security laws, underscoring the gravity of compromising state intelligence in a time of regional volatility.
