Clash at the Heart of the Israeli Security Establishment: Spat Between Shin Bet Chief and Chief of Staff Forces Netanyahu to Intervene

Israeli media outlet Channel 12 revealed a fierce clash erupted between the Head of the Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet), David Zini, and the Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, during a closed-door security meeting at the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was forced to personally intervene to contain the tension.

Details of the Clash and its Roots

• Accusation of Overstepping: The dispute ignited after the Chief of Staff, Zamir, accused the Shin Bet head, Zini, of overstepping his authority and interfering in files exclusively under the military's responsibility.

• Sharp Interruption: Zamir sharply interrupted his counterpart, Zini, saying: "What is the role of the Shin Bet there? What exactly are your powers? The military issues warnings, not you."

• Netanyahu's Intervention: Netanyahu had to end the discussion, calming the session by stating: "We must reach a joint working mechanism."

• Roots of the Crisis: Security sources cited by the channel suggested the tension stems partly from Zini's appointment without consulting the Chief of Staff, and from secret meetings held between Netanyahu and the Shin Bet head, with the Chief of Staff only being notified later via the Prime Minister's military secretary.

Observers' Warnings

• Jurisdiction Conflict: Netanyahu concluded the session by emphasizing the necessity of establishing a clear coordination mechanism between the military and Shin Bet to avoid future conflicts of jurisdiction.

• Gaza Implications: Observers warned that the dispute reflects accumulated tensions between the two institutions, which could negatively impact security coordination in Gaza during the upcoming transitional phase.