Israeli High Court Halts Shin Bet Chief Hearing Amid Courtroom Chaos

11 posts • OpenAI (o3)

Updated Jul 1, 2025, 02:38 PM

Israel’s High Court of Justice twice suspended a 1 July hearing on petitions concerning the appointment of Maj.-Gen. (res.) David Zini as head of the Shin Bet after repeated outbursts in the packed courtroom. Judges initially halted proceedings when Knesset member Tally Gotliv shouted from the public gallery, and later cleared the hall following further shouting, clapping and scuffles that led security officers to remove several onlookers, including the parents of fallen soldier Shir Hajaj.

The petitions challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to install Zini immediately and seek either a professional, independent selection mechanism or a delay until questions about Netanyahu’s conflict-of-interest constraints are resolved. Government lawyer Yitzhak Rabillo asked the court to continue the discussion behind closed doors, citing classified security considerations, while the judges said they would reconvene without the public present.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the transportation minister declared that only the government has legal authority over the appointment and labelled the court review an overreach. Opposition leader Yair Lapid countered that the cabinet’s attacks on the judiciary endanger Israeli democracy.

The debate has been further inflamed by a Haaretz report that Zini recently told former security officials the judicial system is “a dictatorship that controls the entire country,” remarks critics say undermine his suitability for the post.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.

#Israel #High Court of Justice #David Zini #Shin Bet #Knesset #Tally Gotliv #Shir Hajaj #Benjamin Netanyahu #Zini #Netanyahu #Yitzhak Rabillo #National Security #Itamar Ben Gvir #Yair Lapid #Israeli #Haaretz

Financial Analysis

Associated Financial Markets

More financial news and market updates→

Related Prediction Markets

Will ICC withdraw its arrest warrant against Netanyahu before July?

•

Sources

mako.co.il(3)jpost.com(2)aljazeeramubasher.net timesofisrael.com

החדשות - N12

@N12News

ZINI HIGH COURT | ATTORNEY RAVILO REQUESTS ON BEHALF OF THE PRIME MINISTER THAT A DISCUSSION BE HELD BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, SINCE THERE ARE SECURITY MATTERS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO TELL THE JUDGES. Cabinet Secretary Fox will present the arguments to the judges @yaelyaf

Sprinter Observer

@SprinterObserve

Israel's' so-called Supreme Court decides to suspend the hearing to appoint the new “Shin Bet” chief due to conflicting positions among those present.

החדשות - N12

@N12News

Judge Kanfi Steinitz also attacked the position of the Ombudsman: “We are conflicted about the timing of the election of the head of the SHB - an appointment that will affect the next 5 years. There is a disqualification here of exercising authority, expected to do it sparingly” @yaelyaf