Bardugo admits discussing alleged Shin Bet leaks to Channel 12 in private meeting with Zini

Channel 14 commentator Yaakov Bardugo has revealed that he met with Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head David Zini to request an investigation into alleged leaks to Channel 12. Bardugo, who identified himself as a "media personality" rather than a journalist, described the meeting at Shin Bet headquarters, noting another Shin Bet official's presence.

The disclosure has drawn sharp criticism from the Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot. The party issued a statement questioning why Zini would discuss such matters with someone described as having a clear political agenda and being a close associate of the prime minister. They demanded an explanation regarding the meeting's purpose, who initiated it, and the nature of the discussions, asserting that Israeli democracy should not be influenced by political commentators.

“

David Zini owes the public an explanation: Why did he discuss this matter with someone who openly declared he is not a journalist, who has a clear political agenda, who is a close associate, one of the prime minister's biggest mouthpieces and loyal advocates, and who came with the goal of persuading him to launch an investigation against a media outlet in Israel?

Further scrutiny comes from the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, which sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Zini, and Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara. The legal group is demanding full disclosure about the reported meeting, which allegedly concerned an examination of Channel 12 over leaks about an Israeli Air Force strike in Iran. The movement argues that the Shin Bet's exemption from the Freedom of Information Law should not shield this matter from public disclosure, as the exemption is meant to protect operational secrecy, not political influence.

Bardugo's admission and the subsequent reactions highlight concerns about potential political interference in security agency decisions and the transparency of such interactions. The Yashar party and the Movement for Quality Government are pressing for clarity on how decisions regarding security investigations are made and who influences them.

“

If a political figure or someone close to the government is able to influence decisions concerning the exercise of security powers, this is a grave incident. The public deserves to know who made the request, who applied pressure, what was said during the meeting, and why it took place. Israeli democracy is not a plaything in the hands of any public official, and no political commentator should have the ability to influence it.