Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday congratulated Maj. Gen. (res.) David Zini on assuming his role as the new head of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).
“I congratulate the incoming head of the Shin Bet, Major General (res.) David Zini, and wish him success in the tremendous mission ahead of him. Special thanks to ‘S.,’ the outgoing acting head of the Shin Bet, for his dedicated service, which greatly contributed to safeguarding the security of Israel’s citizens,” the premier said, according to his office.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with Zini on Sunday and wished him “great success in his mission for the people and the state,” his office said.
The eyes of all the people are upon you. We want security, we want peace, we want calm in Israeli society,” the head of state told Zini, according to a video posted to X.
Zini responded, “By virtue of our deep roots and our great future, we will act with determination and loyalty to this people ... with statesmanship and full dedication to the security of the state and all its citizens.”
בירכתי הבוקר את אלוף (במיל׳) דוד זיני עם כניסתו לתפקיד ראש השב״כ ואיחלתי לו הצלחה רבה בשליחותו למען העם והמדינה. pic.twitter.com/nHHnRLZKd2
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 5, 2025
The Israeli Cabinet on Oct. 1 unanimously approved the appointment of Zini, 51, for a five-year term.
Zini has held a broad range of posts in the Israel Defense Forces, including commander of Golani Infantry Brigade Battalion 51; commander of the Egoz special forces unit; commander of the Alexandroni Reserve Infantry Brigade; commander of the Training Command and the General Staff Corps; and founder of both the Commando Brigade and ultra-Orthodox Hasmonean Brigade.
The previous Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, stepped down on June 15, ending his tenure prematurely.
Netanyahu had announced his intention to dismiss Bar on March 16, citing “an ongoing lack of trust” that “has grown over time.”
The prime minister had reportedly wanted to oust Bar for months due to the Shin Bet’s failure in the run-up to the Oct. 7 invasion.
However, several members of the political opposition accused Netanyahu of seeking Bar’s dismissal to suppress the “Qatar-gate” investigation. In July, the government and the Attorney General’s Office informed the High Court of Justice that they had reached a compromise on appointing Zini to avoid conflicts of interest.
“Qatar-gate” refers to an Israeli investigation into aides to Netanyahu, Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, over suspected ties to a foreign agent, bribery, money laundering and efforts to promote Qatar’s image, with Feldstein also being accused of mishandling classified material.
On Sept. 30, President Isaac Herzog welcomed Zini’s appointment, noting that he brings decades of “rich and diverse” experience to the Shin Bet as a fighter and commander in defense of Israel and its citizens.
“In sensitive and threatened days like these, when innocent Israelis were brutally attacked in an act of terror, it is important to remind all of us how critical the effective and nationwide functioning of the Shin Bet is to protecting Israeli society, its security and its values,” said Herzog.
Zini, is Orthodox, has 11 children and comes from a family of rabbis of Algerian descent. He lives in the Golan Heights.
