Shin Bet Chief David Zini has frozen all appointments within the security agency, Kan 11 reported, upon his decision to reassess the organization’s appointments mechanism amid his disagreements with agency department heads.
Key positions within the agency, including head of the Gaza department, have for some time been temporarily filled by acting officials rather than permanent appointments.
The report emerges amid a crisis of confidence between Zini and senior officials in the service.
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Shin Bet chief David Zini attends a memorial ceremony in Jerusalem, 2025. Credit: Olivier Fitoussi
Shin Bet chief David Zini attends a memorial ceremony in Jerusalem, 2025. Credit: Olivier Fitoussi
Some sources say the crisis stems from what many inside the organization see as Zini’s lack of understanding of professional matters, alongside a management style that has created strained working relationships.
They said he tends to silence anyone whose opinion he dislikes and consistently refuses to hear opposing views in meetings.
Speaking to Haaretz, sources described the atmosphere inside the Shin Bet under Zini as “hostile,” with some referring to a “military style of speech.”
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For example, after he took office, terminology inside the organization changed. Senior officials, previously referred to as “managers,” became “commanders,” while “employees” became “subordinates.”
“He speaks rudely to people, and I say that mildly,” one source said. “He is dismissive, impatient and behaves like a division commander toward subordinates. This is language people in the service are not used to.”
Another source said, “Out of nowhere, he can suddenly say kus emak in a discussion,” a vulgar curse. “He can behave very crudely.”
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According to sources, the crisis is so deep that a real rift has formed within the Shin Bet, leading to two main camps: one made up of Zini and his deputy, N., and the other of division and department heads.
“The camps are not working against each other. It has not reached that level,” a source in the defense establishment said. “But the trust situation is such that Zini trusts only N.”
N. was chosen directly by Zini for the deputy position after he became Shin Bet chief. A former Shin Bet officer, he was brought back into the service after about eight years outside it, during which he served, among other roles, as a division head at the National Security Council.
His last position in the Shin Bet had been head of the Gaza division, and according to several sources, the organization’s leadership “showed him the door.” They said this followed internal criticism that he acted unprofessionally and even endangered forces.