Former Security Chiefs Criticize Shin Bet Director Over Proposed Arab MK Probes

Former senior defense and legal officials issued sharp warnings on Wednesday against Shin Bet Director David Zini, following reports that he sought to question senior Arab party figures under caution without sufficient evidence. The controversy erupted after reports revealed that Zini intended to investigate MK Ahmad Tibi, MK Mansour Abbas, and former MK Sami Abu Shehadeh, alongside another senior lawmaker whose name remains under a gag order.

According to reports, evidence was presented regarding the additional lawmaker, but for the other three politicians, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara demanded a solid evidentiary foundation before approving any interrogations. In response to Zini's demands, Baharav-Miara issued a stern letter emphasizing that while anyone who warrants investigation will be questioned, individuals cannot be probed without proper evidence.

In the first public statement, signed by former IDF chiefs of staff, police commissioners, major generals, and former heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet, the signatories stated they were appalled by the reports. They stressed that investigating citizens, particularly elected officials, without an evidentiary basis violates fundamental principles of a democratic state. The former security chiefs warned that such moves appear politically motivated, aimed at delegitimizing election results.

Simultaneously, a second statement was published by former senior legal officials, including former Shin Bet legal advisor Eli Bachar, former Deputy Attorney General Dina Zilver, former police legal advisor Yossi Sedbon, and former Prime Minister's Office legal advisor Shlomit Barnea Fargo. They echoed deep concern, asserting that Zini's demand undermines democratic institutions and turns the security agency into a political tool.