Directly defying an order from the attorney general, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday evening that he was appointing IDF Maj. Gen. David Zini as the next Shin Bet chief.

The announcement came a day after the High Court of Justice issued a ruling that Netanyahu’s firing of outgoing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was made “improperly” and “unlawfully,” and that he had a conflict of interest.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara then informed Netanyahu on Wednesday that he was barred from appointing a new Shin Bet chief while she worked out the implications of the ruling.

Nevertheless, Netanyahu’s office announced Thursday evening that he was appointing Zini, who “has served in many IDF operational positions and commands.”

Zini, a father of 11, currently serves as head of the IDF Training Command and General Staff Corps. He has also been responsible for advancing the draft of Haredi soldiers to the military.

The statement from the Prime Minister’s Office noted that in March 2023, Zini wrote a report for the then-commander of the Gaza Division “to examine how the division is prepared for a complex surprise event, with an emphasis on a surprise raid, and to identify weaknesses.”

Netanyahu’s office stressed that Zini’s conclusions noted that “in almost any sector, a surprise raid on our forces could be carried out,” a clear reference to the premier’s belief that the Shin Bet failed to predict or prepare for the Hamas October 7 attack.

Current Shin Bet head Ronen Bar has said he will step down on June 15 after Netanyahu moved to fire him from the role in a bitter dispute that ended up in the High Court.

On March 16, Netanyahu announced that he intended to fire Bar, and the Shin Bet chief was dismissed by cabinet........

© The Times of Israel