By: Fern Sidman

The Israeli Cabinet convened on Tuesday evening to approve the appointment of Major General (Res.) David Zini as the new head of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). The appointment, confirmed after rigorous legal review, comes at a time when Israel is navigating both existential security threats and sensitive diplomatic negotiations tied to the war in Gaza.

According to a report on Tuesday at Israel National News, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Zini as “the right man to lead the Shin Bet,” underscoring the weight of the decision in an era defined by regional upheaval and the persistence of terrorist threats.

At the outset of the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu framed Zini’s appointment as part of Israel’s broader struggle for security and legitimacy. He tied the decision to his recent diplomatic efforts in the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump to finalize a framework for hostage releases and a potential end to the war in Gaza.

“Today we are appointing Major General David Zini as head of the Shin Bet,” Netanyahu said, as reported by Israel National News. “I have been very impressed with him over the years, and I have known him for many years. His various roles in the IDF and his work in close cooperation with the Shin Bet demonstrate his determination, leadership, and ability to think outside conventional patterns. He sees things before they happen. I have no doubt he will be successful.”

Netanyahu highlighted Zini’s reputation for innovation and resilience. “He knows the system but is not part of it,” he noted, casting the appointment as a bridge between institutional experience and independent leadership.

The appointment was preceded by a legal assessment from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who confirmed there was “no legal impediment” to Zini’s selection. In a formal letter to ministers, she underscored the importance of insulating the Shin Bet from political interference.

In particular, Baharav-Miara directed Zini to consult with the Shin Bet’s legal advisor if he receives requests from the Prime Minister involving personal, political, or criminal matters. The instruction, noted in the Israel National News report, reflects Israel’s longstanding sensitivity about maintaining the independence and neutrality of its security services.

Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon had earlier submitted “sensitive information” about Zini to the senior appointments committee. However, after review, the committee confirmed his candidacy, allowing the cabinet to move forward with confidence.

Zini’s rise to one of Israel’s most powerful security posts is the culmination of a storied military career spanning decades. Born and raised in Israel, Zini joined the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the 1980s and quickly earned a reputation as a skilled commander with sharp analytical instincts.

He first distinguished himself in the Paratroopers Brigade, an elite infantry unit renowned for its rigorous training and front-line responsibilities. Rising through the ranks, Zini commanded battalions during the turbulent years of the First Intifada and later held leadership posts during the Second Intifada, where the IDF confronted waves of suicide bombings and coordinated terror attacks.

By the mid-2000s, Zini had become a central figure in operational planning. As commander of the Nahal Brigade, he was responsible for counterterror operations in Judea and Samaria, working closely with Shin Bet operatives to dismantle militant cells and prevent attacks on Israeli civilians. Colleagues noted his ability to integrate intelligence with field operations, a skillset that now makes him uniquely suited to lead the Shin Bet.

Later, Zini commanded the 98th Paratroopers Division, a rapid-deployment formation often referred to as the “fire brigade” of the IDF. In this capacity, he oversaw complex operations in both Gaza and Lebanon, cultivating expertise in both counterinsurgency and high-intensity warfare.

Zini’s tenure was not limited to tactical command. He also held senior staff roles in the IDF General Staff, where he advised on long-term planning and doctrine. Known for his ability to “see things before they happen,” as Netanyahu observed, Zini earned a reputation as a strategist willing to challenge conventional assumptions.

According to the information provided in the Israel National News report, his colleagues in the General Staff recall a commander who excelled at integrating field experience with strategic vision. His insights into asymmetric warfare — especially the interplay between terror groups’ underground infrastructure and their political objectives — became vital to IDF planning in Gaza and beyond.

Zini’s appointment reflects a broader trend in Israel of selecting Shin Bet chiefs with deep military backgrounds but enough independence to challenge the agency’s insular culture. While his military service provided him with intimate knowledge of Shin Bet operations, he was not part of the agency’s permanent cadre — making him both an insider and outsider.

This dual perspective is seen as a strength. It allows Zini to appreciate Shin Bet’s capabilities while avoiding bureaucratic stagnation. As the Israel National News report observed, Netanyahu deliberately highlighted this quality in his remarks: “Someone who knows the system but is not part of it.”

Zini steps into his new role at a time of profound challenges for the Shin Bet. In the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks, the agency faces renewed scrutiny for intelligence failures, particularly its inability to foresee the scale and sophistication of the assault.

Now, the Shin Bet is tasked with:

Coordinating intelligence for hostage rescue efforts.

Combating smuggling and terror tunnels along the Gaza border.

Monitoring Hezbollah activity in northern Israel.

Countering Iranian attempts to destabilize the region through cyber and proxy warfare.

As Israel National News has frequently reported, these demands have expanded the Shin Bet’s traditional mandate from domestic counterterrorism to a hybrid role that spans cyber, military, and regional intelligence. Zini’s experience with both operational command and strategic planning positions him well to oversee this expanded portfolio.

The timing of Zini’s appointment coincides with Netanyahu’s announcement of a U.S.-backed framework for hostage releases, negotiated with President Trump. According to the report at Israel National News, the plan includes phased withdrawals from Gaza, disarmament of Hamas, and international oversight.

The Shin Bet will be critical to monitoring compliance, ensuring that Hamas does not exploit ceasefires to regroup. Zini’s background in coordinating between intelligence agencies and the military makes him uniquely suited to oversee this delicate process.

Netanyahu emphasized that if Hamas undermines the agreement, Israel will “finish the job” alone — a scenario that would place enormous responsibility on Zini and his agency to ensure operational readiness.

The Shin Bet chief must also navigate Israel’s turbulent political climate. Right-wing figures such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have demanded nothing less than the complete dismantling of Hamas, warning against half measures or concessions.

These pressures, documented extensively by Israel National News, reflect broader divisions in Israeli society about the war’s endgame. Zini will need to insulate the Shin Bet from political interference while ensuring that its intelligence supports both the government’s immediate goals and Israel’s long-term security.

For many Israelis, the Shin Bet embodies the state’s ability to protect its citizens from terror. After the trauma of recent years, restoring public trust in the agency will be a symbolic as well as operational challenge.

Zini’s reputation as a commander who balances bold action with strategic foresight may help reassure Israelis. His leadership will be measured not only by thwarted attacks but by the confidence he instills in a nation that has endured both devastating surprise and hard-fought resilience.

Major General (Res.) David Zini’s appointment signals a pivotal moment for Israel’s security establishment. As the Israel National News report noted, the Shin Bet under Zini will confront threats across multiple domains — from Gaza’s tunnels to Iran’s cyber campaigns — while playing a decisive role in implementing the Trump-backed peace framework.

For Netanyahu, Zini’s leadership is nothing less than existential: “This success is crucial for the security of all Israeli citizens.”

For Zini, the task ahead is monumental — restoring confidence in Israel’s intelligence, safeguarding hostages, neutralizing terror threats, and navigating the political storms of a divided region. His career in the IDF prepared him for precisely such moments. Whether his leadership can deliver the security and stability Israelis demand will define not only his tenure but the future of the nation’s most critical security agency.