Tell me - Tel Aviv University President Ariel Porat warned today, Friday, that the appointment of General David Zini as the head of Shin Bet would lead to a civil war, while the Israeli military reported Zini's retirement after his appointment as head of Shin Bet.
Israeli news site Walla reported that Porat sent a harsh letter to General David Zini urging him to decline his nomination for Shin Bet chief, thus "preventing civil war and bloodshed."
Tel Aviv University's president wrote in the letter that many economic leaders have warned of the country's economy collapsing if the state reaches a condition of defiance to the Supreme Court.
He added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision "to appoint you as the new head of Shin Bet was contrary to the instructions of the government's legal advisor" (Gali Baharav Miara).
Porat criticized "Netanyahu's challenge to the judiciary," expressing concern that the government would proceed with appointing General Zini as head of Shin Bet, even if the court rules it illegal.
He continued, addressing Zini, "If this happens, your appointment will be illegal, and the government's and its leader's behavior will be criminal, and this situation could lead to a civil war and bloodshed."
He then urged: I urge you to immediately announce your refusal to accept the position of head of Shin Bet, contradicting the instructions of the legal advisor and the court decision.
Denial of Dismissal
Meanwhile, the Israeli military today denied the dismissal of General David Zini from his military position after the decision to appoint him as head of Shin Bet, stating that it had agreed on his retirement.
This came in a statement after Israeli media reported that Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir dismissed General Zini from his military position following his appointment as Shin Bet chief.
The Israeli Channel 12 reported the military's statement: "In light of publications, we would like to confirm that General David Zini was not dismissed from the army."
It added: "In a conversation this morning between Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and General Zini, it was agreed upon his retirement following his appointment as head of Shin Bet."
In Israel, reactions continue regarding Netanyahu's appointing of General Zini as head of Shin Bet, with civil and military officials criticizing the meeting between the two sides without the knowledge of the General Staff.
The Israeli military said that the Chief of Staff asked for clarification from Zini and that both sides agreed on Zini leaving his military post within days.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu's office said that appointing a permanent head for the agency is a top security priority and that this appointment would be presented to the senior officials' appointment committee.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had dismissed Ronen Bar on March 6th, an action considered illegal, leading Israel into a crisis following the dispute.
The Israeli Supreme Court had earlier ruled the government's dismissal of Ronen Bar as illegal, while opposition parties filed petitions with the Israeli Supreme Court against the decision, prompting the latter to freeze the dismissal pending review of the petitions.
The crisis deepened when Netanyahu announced the appointment of former Navy Commander Eli Sharvit as head of "Shin Bet," before retracting under pressure from within his government.
